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Scedosporium apiospermum as a rare cause of central skull base osteomyelitis

Päivi Jalava-Karvinen1, Mikko Nyman2, Maria Gardberg3

  • 1Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Medicine, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland; Faculty of Medicine, Turku University, Turku, Finland.

Medical Mycology Case Reports
|May 3, 2016
PubMed

Insights

A rare Scedosporium apiospermum mold infection led to severe complications including skull base osteomyelitis and carotid artery occlusion in a diabetic man. Despite treatment, the infection resulted in a fatal cerebral infarction, highlighting aggressive fungal infections in immunocompromised individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Scedosporium apiospermum is an opportunistic mold.
  • Infections can be severe, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Central skull base osteomyelitis and carotid artery involvement are rare but serious complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a rare case of Scedosporium apiospermum infection.
  • To detail the progression of the infection from otitis to cerebral infarction.
  • To emphasize diagnostic challenges and treatment outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of a 48-year-old diabetic male patient.
  • Clinical presentation, diagnostic procedures, and treatment interventions were documented.
  • Pathological and microbiological analyses confirmed the causative agent.

Main Results:

  • The patient presented with an ear infection that progressed to central skull base osteomyelitis.
  • Infection led to occlusion of the carotid artery.
  • Despite antifungal therapy and surgical interventions, the patient developed a fatal cerebral infarction.

Conclusions:

  • Scedosporium apiospermum can cause aggressive and life-threatening infections.
  • Early diagnosis and aggressive management are crucial for invasive fungal infections.
  • Diabetic and immunocompromised patients are at higher risk for severe outcomes.
Keywords:
Central skull base osteomyelitisMold infectionScedosporium apiospermum

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