Successful treatment of rhino-orbital mucormycosis with posaconazole and hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2013 Apr;30(3):184-6. doi: 10.3109/08880018.2013.770587. Epub 2013 Feb 27.

Abstract

Mucormycosis is a rare, but invasive infection caused by ubiquitous molds. Amphotericin B and surgery have been known to help improve the outcome. Sporadic case reports support the use of posaconazole in adults. We report a toddler with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who acquired rhino-orbital mucormycosis caused by Rhizopus species at the end of induction chemotherapy. She was successfully treated with multiple surgical debridements, amphotericin B, posaconazole and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. In conclusion, mucormycosis is a serious infection that requires aggressive surgical and medical therapy. To the best of our knowledge the use of posaconazole combined with hyperbaric oxygen therapy has not been reported in a toddler with leukemia and invasive Rhizopus sp. infection. This approach was found to be safe and effective in our patient.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Child, Preschool
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperbaric Oxygenation*
  • Mucormycosis / diagnosis
  • Mucormycosis / drug therapy
  • Mucormycosis / microbiology*
  • Orbital Diseases / drug therapy
  • Orbital Diseases / microbiology*
  • Orbital Diseases / pathology
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / complications*
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / microbiology
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / therapy
  • Prognosis
  • Remission Induction
  • Rhizopus / drug effects*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Triazoles / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Triazoles
  • posaconazole
  • Amphotericin B