A 19-year-old female with SLE and no prior otological problems sought treatment after experiencing left otalgia and hearing loss for 2 weeks. She stated that an upper respiratory tract infection had preceded these symptoms. She complained of a flare-up of her lupus symptoms (joint pains) but denied the presence of dizziness, an aural discharge, or tinnitus. She had been taking prednisolone tablets (20 mg) for a month and had recently begun azathioprine (100 mg) to control her SLE.

On clinical examination the patient was afebrile. Her facial nerve function was normal. The skin of the left external auditory canal showed evidence of a mild inflammation that extended to the pars flaccida. Tuning fork tests were normal. The rest of her otolaryngological examination was normal. A diagnosis suggestive of acute otitis media plus mild otitis externa was made, and she began a course of antibiotics (CO-amoxiclav) in addition to topical antibiotic eardrops (Gentisone HC).

A week later she sought treatment for worsening pain radiating behind her ear associated with left hemicranial headaches. On examination she was tender over the mastoid antrum, but there was no clinical evidence of a postauricular abscess. Her left tympanic membrane was hyperemic and thickened, with evidence of an effusion. Tuning fork tests were consistent with a left conductive hearing loss, which was confirmed by a 40- to 50-dB hearing loss on pure tone audiometry. Tympanometry revealed a type B flat trace (with a normal canal volume).

The patient was admitted and treated with intravenous antibiotics (Co-amoxyclav), topical nasal decongestants (ephedrine 1%) and topical steroid nose drops (Betnesol^®). Blood investigations revealed a normal white cell count (6.7×10⁹/L) and mildly elevated level of C-reactive protein (11.1 mg/L; normal range 0 to 8 mg/L). A compute tomography (CT) scan showed opacification of her left mastoid air cell system and middle ear with no evidence of an intracranial collection (Fig. 1).

A grommet was inserted in her left ear under local anesthetic. At surgery, a small amount of thin serous fluid was aspirated. The aspirate was cultured, but no growth was reported. She continued to have an aural discharge, which on repeat cultures grew Aspergillus fumigatus. Magnetic resonance imaging of her petrous temporal bones obtained because of her worsening pain and the increased aural discharge showed fluid and an enhancing soft tissue in the left mastoid air cells, consistent with mastoiditis (Fig. 2).

Initially, the classification of Aspergillus infection was restricted to paranasal sinus disease.^7,8 Hall and Farrior³ then included temporal bone infections. Their classification recognizes three forms. Noninvasive aspergillosis is localized and does not invade tissue. It responds to simple conservative removal. Invasive aspergillosis, which is characterized by bony invasion, granulomatous response, and fibrosis, occurs in immunocompetent patients. Finally, fulminant aspergillosis, which occurs in immunocompromised patients, is characterized by tissue and angioinvasion, no granulomatous response, and little tissue reaction.

Sources of the spread of mycotic infection within the head and neck include direct extension from the nasopharynx, hematogenic, tympanogenic, and meningogenic routes.⁹ The present case highlights a rare presentation of invasive/fulminant aspergillosis via tympanogenic spread. In most cases of Aspergillus infection, temporal bone involvement can be attributed to spread from the external auditory canal, via paranasal sinuses, or hematogenic spread. Previous reports have documented facial nerve involvement.^3,6,10 Aspergillus infection should be considered part of the differential diagnosis of patients with mastoiditis, who are relatively immunocompromised and who do not respond to antibiotic treatment regardless of facial nerve involvement.

This case highlights the difficulty of diagnosing invasive/fulminant aspergillosis. Deep tissue biopsy or isolation from blood cultures is required for histopathological confirmation. Colonization with saprophytic fungi in chronic otitis media and superficial fungal otitis externa is common.⁹ Consequently, no diagnostic conclusion can be drawn from single positive cultures from the external auditory canal or from middle ears with chronic perforations.

Once the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment options for Aspergillus mastoiditis consist of antifungal therapy, aggressive surgical debridement, and attempts to control the patient's underlying immune status. Previous reports have described amphotericin B and itraconazole as effective against invasive Aspergillus.¹¹ Voriconazole is a new broad spectrum triazole antifungal agent. Structurally it is related to fluconazole, but as a second-generation drug its potency and spectrum of activity are improved. Voriconazole is primarily used to treat acute invasive aspergillosis.

Like other azole antifungal agents, voriconazole principally works by inhibiting the enzyme cytochrome P450 14a-demethylase. This inhibition is involved in the sterole biosynthesis pathway. It thereby inhibits ergosterol in the cell membrane, disrupting fungal growth.¹² Voriconazole inhibits this enzyme to a greater extent and is dose dependent. Consequently, the potency and spectrum of activity are improved compared with other azoles. In vitro tests have shown good inhibitory activity against Aspergillus fumigatus and other species of mold.¹³ Large-phase II and III clinical studies and case reports have demonstrated the clinical efficacy of voriconazole against Aspergillus and other mycoses. Voriconazole is more effective than amphotericin B for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis.¹⁴ Voriconazole has three important side effects:^15,16,17 liver abnormalities and hepatitis; skin abnormalities, including photosensitivity and rashes; and transient visual disturbances that do not threaten sight and are reported in as many as 30% of patients.