Musculoskeletal mucormycosis in a girl with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Mucormycosis is an aggressive fungal infection caused by fungi of the order Mucorales. Diagnosis is based on histopathological identification of microorganisms and culture confirmation. In case of suspicion, early surgical debridement and early antifungal therapy are recommended. The diagnosis and treatment of these infections pose a significant challenge, especially in pediatrics. Initial nonspecific clinical variability leads to late diagnosis. Their suspicion requires urgent intervention due to their rapid progression; late initiation of therapy is associated with higher mortality. We describe the case of a girl with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and steroid-induced diabetes who presented with a Rhizopus spp. infection in the deltoid muscle during the induction phase of oncologic treatment, with bone involvement.