Aspergillus Osteochondritis after Median Sternotomy. Combined Operative Treatment and Drug Therapy with Amphotericin B

Abstract

A case of Aspergillus fumigatus osteochondritis after median sternotomy for open heart surgery is presented. To the best of our knowledge, it is the second well documented case that has been reported in the literature. Successful healing was obtained with combined operative treatment (consisting of a large resection of the 8th, 9th and 10th right costal cartilages and surrounding soft tissues), and systemic drug therapy with Amphotericin B. Repeated serologic studies and bone scans were used for both the diagnosis and monitoring of the evolution of the infection; these 2 tools are recommended in cases of mycotic infections in that area.