[Rhino-cranial mucormycosis in acute leukemia]

The diagnosis of acute lymphatic non-T-non-B leukaemia of common ALL type was confirmed in a 22-year-old woman. Cytostatic treatment brought full remission for 21/2 years. Renewed cytostatic treatment for recurrence brought about a mucormycosis in the mid-face region during a period of protracted agranulocytosis, despite antibiotic prophylaxis with ketoconazole and cotrimoxazole. The causative mucor organism was demonstrated in smears and biopsy material. The infection was successfully treated with i.v. amphotericin B and débridement of the affected tissue. There remained large tissue defects in the region of gum, nose, upper lip and right oral cavity. Previously the mortality rate of mucormycosis in the course of leukaemia was 100%.