Pleuropulmonary Zygomycosis in a Diabetic Child

Abstract

A 12 yr old girl with type 1 diabetes presented in ketoacidosis and consolidation of left lower lobe along with left pleural effusion. A diagnosis of mucormycosis was made on smear examination of an exudative pleural aspirate. Left lower lobe lobectomy was performed along with drainage of pleural collection with tube thoracostomy. Worsening respiratory distress postoperatively due to increase in empyema fluid necessitated a second surgery. Pleuropulmonary involvement as seen in this patient is an extremely rare occurrence possibly related to the propensity of mucor to invade blood vessels rather than extend outwardly into pleural cavity.