Intravascular mucormycosis as a cause of arm ischemia in an immunocompromised patient.

Sochaj, Marta; Claridge, Martin; Green, Nicholas J; Fox, Anthony D · J Vasc Surg · 2009

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

Mucormycosis is an opportunistic fungal infection primarily affecting patients with immunosuppression. We present a case of upper limb ischemia secondary to mucormycosis. A 59-year-old man with myelodysplasia presented with an acutely ischemic arm. The patient underwent numerous revascularisation attempts. Following the final procedure, he developed a cerebral infarct and subsequently died. The most common presentations of mucormycosis are of local character. Once established, it can spread rapidly with vascular invasion and in situ thrombosis. Mortality rate is 76%-96%. In this case, it led to fulminant intravascular coagulopathy resulting in recurrent upper and lower limb ischemia, and finally cerebral infarction.

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