Mycopathologia 2012 Dec;174(5-6):505-9

Multiple fungal brain abscesses in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Patiroglu T, Unal E, Karakukcu M, Ozdemir MA, Tucer B, Yikilmaz A, Deniz K.
Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, 38039, Talas, Kayseri, Turkey.

Abstract

Fungal infection is a severe problem in children suffering from cancer. We report a case of a four-year-old girl who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and multiple Aspergillus niger abscesses at the induction phase of the treatment. She was treated with granulocyte transfusions, liposomal amphotericin B with a combination of voriconazole for four months, followed by oral variconazole alone for 17 months. She was successfully treated with this combination without any sequel, and the planned chemotherapy was also completed. Our experience revealed that antifungal treatment including intravenous amphotericin B and variconazole augmented by granulocyte transfusion is an alternative option for the management of this catastrophic complication.