Abstract:ObjectiveTo discuss the clinical features of fungal ball in the lateral recess of sphenoid sinus, and to study the therapeutic effect of endoscopic surgery for the disease. Methods21 patients with fungal ball in the lateral recess of sphenoid sinus received endoscopic surgery from Feb 2005 and Feb 2011. Clinical data of them was analyzed retrospectively.ResultsThe clinical symptoms of this illness were temporal headache or eye pain with fullness (n=14), bloody nasal discharge (n=5), and diminution of vision (n=2). The patients underwent endoscopic sphenoidostomy via olfactory sulcus approach (n=12), inferior wall fenestration approach (n=5) or pterygoid process root approach (n=4). No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. All patients were followed up for 12 to 24 months postoperatively. The clinical symptoms got relieved in all cases with excellent epithelization of sphenoid mucosa and patency of sphenoid aperture. None of them reoccurred.ConclusionThe sinus CT examination is conducive to the diagnosis of fungal ball in the lateral recess of sphenoid sinus. With advantages of good therapeutic effect and minimal invasion, endoscopic sphenoidostomy plays an important role in preventing recurrence of fungal ball in sphenoid sinus lateral recess.