1990 Volume 31 Issue 9 Pages 1512-1516
A 46-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of leukocytosis. A diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (FAB: L2 type) was made by reviewing peripheral blood smear and bone marrow aspirate. Chromosome analysis showed the presence of Philadelphia chromosome. A combination chemotherapy with L-asparaginase, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone was started, but complete remission was not achieved. During a neutropenic period after combination chemotherapy with doxorubicin, vincristine, vinblastine, and VP-16, high fever and tender swelling of the right cheek were noticed. A diagnosis of maxillary sinusitis was made with tomography and CT scan of the maxillary sinus. Since culture of the aspirate from the maxillary sinus grew aspergillus, a diagnosis of aspergillosis of the maxillary sinus was made.
Immediately after the intravenous administration of amphotericin B and the lavage of the sinus with amphotericin B was started, high fever subsided and clinical improvement was observed. Several regimens of chemotherapy failed to obtain hematological remission, she died of sepsis of Enterobactor cloacae without evidence or relapse of dissemination of aspergillosis after initial successful treatment.
While a few cases with aspergillus maxillary sinusitis were reported in leukemic patients, the possible occurrence of this complication must be kept in mind in a severe neutropenic period after intensive chemotherapy.
The combination of intravenous administration and local lavege of amphotericin B appeared to be an effective treatment in the Aspergillus maxillary sinusitis.
