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[Bilateral lower lobectomies for pulmonary mucormycosis]
Takanori Ayabe1, Y Matsuzaki, M Edagawa
1Department of Second Surgery, Miyazaki Medical College, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan.
Kyobu Geka. the Japanese Journal of Thoracic Surgery
|December 22, 2004
Summary
This case report details a rare pulmonary mucormycosis infection in a diabetic patient. Surgical resection via bilateral lower lobectomies proved effective when antifungal therapy failed.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Pulmonary mucormycosis is a rare, opportunistic fungal infection with a poor prognosis, primarily affecting immunocompromised individuals with underlying chronic conditions.
- This report focuses on a patient with Type 1 diabetes mellitus, a condition often associated with increased susceptibility to infections.
Observation:
- A 36-year-old female with a history of Type 1 diabetes presented with a persistent cough and bilateral lung opacities on chest X-ray.
- Transbronchial lung biopsy confirmed Mucor fungus, indicating pulmonary mucormycosis. Antifungal therapy with amphotericin B was discontinued due to severe side effects.
- The patient underwent a two-stage bilateral lower lobectomy due to disease progression and suspected abscess formation.
Findings:
- Surgical intervention, specifically bilateral lower lobectomies, was successfully performed in two stages.
- The patient experienced an uneventful postoperative recovery, with moderate dyspnea allowing for ambulation and stair climbing.
Implications:
- Surgical resection should be considered a viable treatment option for pulmonary mucormycosis, particularly when medical therapy is ineffective or the infection is localized.
- This case highlights the importance of considering surgical management for invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised patients.