Aspergillosis is caused by infection with Aspergilli. It is often difficult to make an exact diagnosis before identification of Aspergilli by microbial examination because aspergillosis is difficult to differentiate from other diseases. We present a case of aspergillosis of the maxillary sinus that could be diagnosed on serological examination for Aspergilli or fungi specific sugar.
A 51-year-old woman visited to our hospital because of swelling in the gingiva of the maxilla. Radical operation of the maxillary sinus was performed for a clinical diagnosis of aspergillosis of the maxillary sinus. Histopathological examination revealed Aspergilli in the extirpated tissue of the maxillary sinus. Serological examinations showed elevated serum levels of galactomannan and β-D-glucan. Galactomannan is a specific marker for Aspergilli, and β-D-glucan is specific for fungi. Both makers fell to normal levels after operation, Suggesting that serological examinations for galactomannan and β-D-glucan are useful in the diagnosis of aspergillosis of the maxillary sinus.
