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Mucormycosis resulting in a pseudoaneurysm in the spleen
P C Nevitt1, L Das Narla, E A Hingsbergen
1Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Radiology, Richmond 23298-0615, USA.
Abstract:
Mucormycosis is an uncommon and frequently fatal fungal infection. It characteristically affects patients with diabetes mellitus or patients with severe immunosuppression. The hallmark of mucormycosis infection is tissue infarction and vascular invasion. We present clinical data and imaging studies of a 16 year-old child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia complicated by disseminated mucormycosis resulting in a pseudoaneurysm of the spleen. This was successfully managed by a combination of systemic antifungal therapy (Amphotericin B) and surgery (splenectomy). This entity has not been described in the literature.
Insights
Disseminated mucormycosis in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia led to a splenic pseudoaneurysm. Successful management involved Amphotericin B and splenectomy, a novel approach for this rare complication.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Hematology
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Mucormycosis is a severe fungal infection often fatal in immunocompromised individuals.
- Tissue infarction and vascular invasion are characteristic of mucormycosis.
- Disseminated mucormycosis is rare, particularly in pediatric leukemia patients.
Observation:
- A 16-year-old with acute lymphoblastic leukemia developed disseminated mucormycosis.
- The infection resulted in a pseudoaneurysm of the spleen.
- This specific presentation has not been previously documented in medical literature.
Findings:
- Successful treatment combined systemic antifungal therapy with Amphotericin B and surgical intervention (splenectomy).
- This multidisciplinary approach effectively managed the splenic pseudoaneurysm secondary to mucormycosis.
- The case highlights a previously undescribed complication and treatment strategy.
Implications:
- This case expands the understanding of mucormycosis complications in pediatric leukemia.
- It suggests that a combination of antifungal therapy and surgery can be effective for splenic pseudoaneurysms caused by mucormycosis.
- Further research may explore this treatment paradigm for similar rare presentations.