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Mucormycosis infection following intravenous access in the forearm

Ronit Wollstein1, Alka Palekar

  • 1Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery;

The Canadian Journal of Plastic Surgery = Journal Canadien De Chirurgie Plastique
|June 2, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Mucormycosis, a fatal fungal infection, can occur in extremities from minor trauma. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial, especially in immunocompromised patients, though guidelines need improvement.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Case Study

Background:

  • Mucormycosis is a severe opportunistic infection demanding prompt intervention.
  • Extremity infections are rare but carry a high mortality rate.
  • Immunocompromised populations are increasingly susceptible.

Observation:

  • A rare case of forearm mucormycosis is presented, originating from an intravenous access site.
  • The infection complicated a planned liver transplant, leading to patient demise.
  • Surgical management involved limited resection based on intraoperative frozen section analysis.

Findings:

  • Mucor species infection was confirmed.
  • The infection's severity precluded liver transplantation.
  • Tissue viability assessment guided conservative surgical approach.

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of recognizing extremity mucormycosis in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Suggests minor trauma can be a precursor, aiding early detection.
  • Underscores the need for refined diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for this condition.
Keywords:
MucormycosisTraumaUpper extremity

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