Paecilomyces fungus infection of the paranasal sinuses

Fungal infections caused by Paecilomyces species are very rare and occur in adult patients with impaired host defences or following foreign body implants. They are found worldwide in soil and decaying vegetation. We describe a case of an 8 year old child who came with complaints of left sided nasal obstruction and discharge, telecanthus, diplopia and epiphora. On examination and investigation he had pansinusitis caused by P. lilacinus. An endoscopic sinus surgery was done and the patient was on oral Itraconazole for 6 months. To our knowledge, this is the first case reported in the paediatric age group. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.