Basilar artery infarction as a rare complication of allergic fungal rhinosinusitis: Case report and literature review

Background Fungal rhinosinusitis is subdivided into two subtypes, invasive and noninvasive variants, with allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) being the most prevalent noninvasive variant. The most common clinical features of AFRS are nasal polyposis, rhinorrhea, facial pressure, and periorbital edema.Objective This study aimed to report a rare clinical presentation and serious complications of AFRS.Method and result The patient was presented to the Otorhinolaryngology Department of Qatif Central Hospital, Eastern Region, Saudi Arabia. We reported a rare presentation of a patient diagnosed with untreated AFRS complicated by basilar artery thrombosis. The patient was urgently managed with endoscopic sinus surgery, postoperative antifungal, and local nasal steroids.Conclusion Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis is a chronic disorder associated with significant morbidity that requires early diagnosis and management. The treatment protocol was based on surgical debridement of the paranasal sinuses from the fungal material and postoperative steroid therapy. Allergic fungal sinusitis with granuloma was more aggressive and needed to be treated cautiously by adding antifungal treatments.