Mucormycosis of the left maxillofacial sinus in a patient with M2 acute leukemia
Journal Title: Αρχεία Ελληνικής Ιατρικής - Year 2008, Vol 25, Issue 3
Abstract
A 62-year-old man with acute myeloblastic leukemia (M2), who had completed his first cycle of consolidation chemotherapyfor his disease, was admitted to the hospital due tofever up to 38.6oC and a left nasal congestion which was started 6 days before. The patient had been examined by an external otolaryngologist when the symptoms started and was treated with mometasone nasal spray, oral loratadine, and amoxacillin/ clavulinate without any improvement in his symptoms. His family history was unremarkable. The diagnosis of M2 AML was established 4 months before and the patient was treated with 2 courses of DAT chemotherapy (daunorubicin 50 mg/m2 for D1, 3, 5; cytarabine 100 mg/m2, bd, for 10 days & thioguanine 100 mg/m2 bd for 10 days) followed by one cycle of high dose cytarabine. A complete remission was achieved after the first cycle induction therapy and was continued after the second cycle of high dose cytarabine. After the first consolidation therapy the patient experienced a remarkable neutropenia which lasted for one month despite the use of sc G-CSF. The symptoms started 42 days after the first day of consolidation therapy. On physical examination the patient had a temperature of 38.2oC, a pulse rate of 110/min and a blood pressure of 125/90 mmHg. There was also an extended red & brownish area in the skin of the left nasal region along with left nasal congestion. A complete blood count revealed mild leukopenia (3.1×109/L) with severe lymphopenia (0.5×109/L), anemia (Hb 10.9 g/dl, Ht 34%) and normal platelet counts. The basic blood chemistry was within normal limits, with the exception of increased liver enzymes (AST 52 U/L, ALT 64 U/L and γGT 73 U/L). Blood cultures were negative, while chest X-rays revealed no abnormalities. Due to the nasal symptoms a maxillofacial CT scan was performed and showed extensive left maxillary sinus disease. Soft tissue density was noted in the left maxillary sinus with higher density areas within. A widening of the left osteomeatal complex was also observed. The other paranasal sinuses were normal. The patient was given a combination antibiotic therapy (ceftazidime, gentamicin and teicoplanine) with no effect on fever and then on day 4 of admission amphotericin B was added to therapy. The fever was stopped 5 days after amphotericin B therapy but the ed/brownish area of the left nasal area was enlarged. One week after, the patient underwent sinus surgery where a left antrostomy/uncinectomy and left maxillary sinus evacuation were performed. The contents in the maxillary sinus consisted of yellowish to greenish, inspissated mucoid material Tissue pecimens revealed inflammation with some tissue necrosis, but also the presence of fungal hyphae collections. Fungal cultures revealed mucor rhizopus infection of the area. The patients continued on antifungal therapy with the addition of voriconazole for one month. The patient continued to have intermittent nasal symptoms during the 4-month period offollow-up but a new maxillofacial CT scan showed no soft tissue in the left maxillary sinus.
Authors and Affiliations
J. MELETIS, S. MASOURIDI, A. SARANTOPOULOS, C. BOMBORIS, T. CHATZILEONIDA, M. MOSCHOGIANNI, E. VARIAMI, N. VINIOU, K. KONSTANTOPOULOS
Keywords
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