Head and neck aspergillosis in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation. Report of four cases and review of the literature

Abstract

Aspergillus infection can be a major cause of morbidity in immunocompromised patients, especially when there is pulmonary involvement. Diagnosis of aspergillosis is often complicated by the varied clinical presentation and compromised medical status of such patients. Four cases of head and neck Aspergillus infections in bone marrow transplant patients are presented. Involvement predominantly was limited to the oral cavity and/or sinuses, and in one case, the ear. Two cases were successfully managed with a combined antibiotic and surgical approach, and one case with antibiotics only. The fourth case was managed with antibiotics and surgery, but fatal hemorrhage secondary to sinus involvement developed.