This type of sinusitis is a form of invasive aspergillosis . Symptoms include fever, facial pain, nasal discharge and headaches. Diagnosis is made by finding the fungus in fluid or tissue from the sinuses and with scans. Powerful antifungal drugs are essential in the treatment. Surgery is done in most cases as a step in determining exactly the nature of the problem and is often helpful in eradicating the fungus.
Some patients cough up brown colored plugs of mucus.
Diagnosis can be made by X-ray or by sputum, skin and blood tests. If untreated, long term ABPA can lead to pen-nanent lung damage. 4 Many people with damaged or impaired immune systems die from invasive aspergillosis . The earlier the diagnosis is made the higher their chance of survival. Unfortunately, there is no good diagnostic test.