Mucormycosis: a rare complication of an amputation

Ann Vasc Surg. 2014 May;28(4):1035.e15-9. doi: 10.1016/j.avsg.2013.10.008. Epub 2013 Dec 14.

Abstract

Mucormycosis is a rare but serious opportunistic fungal infection. Several clinical forms have been described, including cutaneous localization that is frequently associated with soft tissue trauma or burns. We report a case of cutaneous mucormycosis in a diabetic patient with severe occlusive arterial disease. The diagnosis was made early with mold growth on an amputation wound and the presence of nonseptate hyphae on direct microscopic examination, later identified on culture as Lichtheimia ramosa. Aggressive treatment, including the control of underlying diseases, systemic and local amphotericin B, and extensive surgical debridement permitted successful outcomes.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Amphotericin B / administration & dosage
  • Amputation Stumps / microbiology*
  • Amputation Stumps / surgery
  • Amputation, Surgical / adverse effects*
  • Antifungal Agents / administration & dosage
  • Debridement
  • Humans
  • Lower Extremity / blood supply*
  • Male
  • Mucorales / isolation & purification*
  • Mucormycosis / diagnosis
  • Mucormycosis / microbiology*
  • Mucormycosis / therapy
  • Peripheral Arterial Disease / diagnosis
  • Peripheral Arterial Disease / surgery*
  • Reoperation
  • Surgical Wound Infection / diagnosis
  • Surgical Wound Infection / microbiology*
  • Surgical Wound Infection / therapy
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Wound Healing

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Amphotericin B