Intercurrent infectious diseases in post-stem cell transplant patients: paranasal sinusitis

Area of Science:

• Oncohematology
• Infectious Diseases
• Oral Medicine

Background:

• Advanced cancer treatments, including high-dose chemotherapy and allogeneic bone marrow transplant, significantly increase patient susceptibility to severe infections.
• Periods of aplasia and immune suppression post-transplant create a critical window for opportunistic infections.

Observation:

• A 15-year-old adolescent with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia developed erosive palatal lesions 120 days post-transplant.
• The lesions, approximately 2 mm, led to an orosinus communication, indicating aggressive oral involvement.

Findings:

• The case illustrates a rare but severe oral complication in an immunocompromised oncohematology patient.
• Prompt recognition of early oral signs by stomatologists is crucial for timely intervention.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary approach involving oral surgeons for managing complex oral complications in cancer patients.
• Effective management requires specialized knowledge of both oncohematologic diseases and their potential oral sequelae.