Cutaneous mucormycosis of the upper extremity in an immunocompetent host: case report

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Cutaneous mucormycosis, a relatively common infection in immunocompromised patients, remains rare in the immunocompetent patient outside the setting of major trauma. We report a case of an immunocompetent patient who developed left upper extremity Rhizopus infection following arterial puncture. Treatment included surgical debridement, liposomal amphotericin B, and hyperbaric oxygen wound therapy; the patient recovered fully. A review of the literature of cases of upper extremity Mucor infection is included for context. We feel that a high degree of suspicion for Mucor infection is warranted in patients with the described risk factors who do not respond to first-line antibiotics.

Medical Subject Headings

Amphotericin B (administration & dosage); Antifungal Agents (administration & dosage); Brachial Artery (surgery); Combined Modality Therapy; Debridement; Endarterectomy (adverse effects); Female; Humans; Hyperbaric Oxygenation; Immunocompetence; Liposomes; Middle Aged; Mucormycosis (immunology, therapy); Punctures (adverse effects); Rhizopus; Skin Diseases, Infectious (immunology, microbiology, therapy); Skin Transplantation; Wrist Joint (microbiology)

Publication Date

4-1-2012

Publication Title

The Journal of hand surgery

E-ISSN

1531-6564

Volume

37

Issue

4

First Page

787

Last Page

91

PubMed ID

22305738

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1016/j.jhsa.2011.11.010

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