• T Fukushima, R Sumazaki, M Shibasaki, H Saitoh, Y Fujigaki, M Kaneko, E Akaogi, K Mitsui, T Ogata, and H Takita.
• Department of Pediatrics, University of Tsukuba, Japan.
• Cancer. 1995 Sep 1;76(5):895-9.

BackgroundPulmonary mucormycosis associated with hematologic malignancy is an uncommon, but important opportunistic fungal pneumonia that is usually a fatal infection. Only a few survivors of pulmonary mucormycosis have been reported.MethodsA case report of invasive thoracopulmonary mucormycosis during remission-induction therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and a review of the literature are presented.ResultsThe fungal lesions extended to both lungs, the left ribs, and intercostal muscles. Percutaneous needle biopsy and immunostaining of the fungal hyphae established the diagnosis of thoracopulmonary mucormycosis. The patient was treated with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and intravenous amphotericin B for 9 weeks and the lesions in the right lung disappeared. Left pneumonectomy and partial resection of the chest wall were later performed. The left lung was grossly necrotic and contained a large cavity and bronchopulmonary fistula. Thereafter, antileukemic therapy was resumed and completed without recurrence of mucormycosis or leukemia.ConclusionsIn the management of mucormycosis, the addition of G-CSF to the conventional treatment may substantially improve outcome.

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