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Abstract:
Invasive fungal infections of the head and neck are uncommon. The most common organism is Mucor which is classically seen in diabetic individuals in or immediately after a bout of ketoacidosis. This report outlines our experience of four cases of invasive fungal disease caused by the Aspergillus species. All four patients in this series were profoundly granulocytopenic. Three of the four patients remained profoundly immunocompromised and succumbed to infections. One patient recovered immune competence and became a long term survivor after antifungal chemotherapy and debridement of necrotic tissue. The literature on invasive Aspergillus of the head and neck is reviewed. Some recent insights in the medicine literature concerning the epidemiology of the more common pulmonary form of this invasive disease are also discussed.
Insights
Invasive Aspergillus infections in the head and neck are rare, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Aggressive treatment including antifungal chemotherapy and surgery can lead to survival in some cases.
Area of Science:
- Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Oncology
Background:
- Invasive fungal infections of the head and neck are uncommon but serious conditions.
- Mucor is the most common cause, often associated with diabetic ketoacidosis.
- Aspergillus species are less common but present a significant challenge.