NEW YORK -- A destructive, soil-borne disease called allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS) is on the rise -- at least according to the uptick in cases referred to specialist Steven Schaefer, MD, chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology at The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary.
The good news, according to a paper written by Schaefer in the May, 2004 issue of the Journal of Neurosurgery, is that this obscure, insidious disease, which eats away at skull bone that surrounds the nose, eye and brain, now can be effectively and safely removed by minimally invasive techniques that use an endoscope guided through the nasal cavity. Until now, the standard procedure has been a full-blown craniotomy, a more radical approach.
Schaefer, who has written several text books on endoscopic techniques for paranasal diseases, surgically treats more than a dozen AFS patients a year.
The symptoms for allergic fungal sinusitis are the same as for other less serious forms of sinusitis, a disease which affects 37 million patients each year in the U.S., according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Patients with AFS experience facial pain, post-nasal drip, a loss of smell and have trouble breathing. X-ray imagery can pinpoint if the underlying cause is a fungus. Antibiotics are ineffective against AFS and anti-fungal agents work on only some patients. Surgery is required for advanced cases.
Allergic fungal sinusitis mimics cancer it is so destructive. It consists of benign polyps that keep spreading from the sinus to the orbit surrounding the eye, to the cranial cavity. At times, it can be aggressive and deadly, said Schaefer.
Our research shows that these cysts can be removed in a one-day endoscopic procedure vs. a 10-day hospital stay for a craniotomy. That is a wonderful improvement for patients, not only because of a shorter hospital stay, but because it avoids the potential for facial disfigurement that can arise from open surgery.
The retrospective study involved 21 patients who were treated by a multidisciplinary team of neurosurgeons and otolaryngologists using minimally invasive techniques. The follow-up period was from two to 19 years, and there were no cases of disease recurrence.
The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, the oldest specialty hospital in the Western Hemisphere, is the primary teaching hospital for the New York Medical College. It has approximately 142,000 outpatient visits annually and over 20,000 surgical procedures per year. It has one of the nations most extensive eye, ear, nose and throat clinics.
Source: New York Eye and Ear Infirmary
Stay prepared and protected with Infection Control Today's newsletter, delivering essential updates, best practices, and expert insights for infection preventionists.
Telemedicine's Transformative Role in PPE Distribution and Sterile Equipment Management
July 22nd 2025In an era defined by digital transformation and post-pandemic urgency, telemedicine has evolved beyond virtual visits to become a vital infrastructure for delivering personal protective equipment (PPE) and managing sterile supplies. By enabling real-time forecasting, remote quality control, and equitable distribution, telemedicine is revolutionizing how health care systems protect both patients and providers.
Breaking the Cycle of Silence: Why Sharps Injuries Go Unreported and What Can Be Done
Published: July 24th 2025 | Updated: July 23rd 2025Despite decades of progress in health care safety, a quiet but dangerous culture still lingers: many health care workers remain afraid to report sharps injuries, fearing blame more than the wound itself.
New Study Explores Oral Vancomycin to Prevent C difficile Recurrence, But Questions Remain
July 17th 2025A new clinical trial explores the use of low-dose oral vancomycin to prevent Clostridioides difficile recurrence in high-risk patients taking antibiotics. While the data suggest a possible benefit, the findings stop short of statistical significance and raise red flags about vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), underscoring the delicate balance between prevention and antimicrobial stewardship.
The Next Frontier in Infection Control: AI-Driven Operating Rooms
Published: July 15th 2025 | Updated: July 15th 2025Discover how AI-powered sensors, smart surveillance, and advanced analytics are revolutionizing infection prevention in the OR. Herman DeBoard, PhD, discusses how these technologies safeguard sterile fields, reduce SSIs, and help hospitals balance operational efficiency with patient safety.