Cutaneous mucormycosis in a child with juvenile chronic myeloid leukemia: A case report

Background: Although upper respiratory tract infection with mucormycosis is commonlyseen in the immunocompromised and leukemic patients, cutaneous involvement is rarelyreported. Characteristically the lesion involves soft tissue and blood vessels with extensivenecrosis and destruction. Cutaneous mucormycosis is very rare and could be easilymisdiagnosed. We report an unusual case of juvenile chronic myelogenous leukemiapresented with multiple skin nodules. Skin biopsy revealed extensive necrosis with numerousfungal elements.Case Report: The patient was a 5 years old boy from Shiraz who presented withsplenomegaly and anemia from several months ago. The diagnosis of chronic myelogenousleukemia was confirmed by bone marrow examination and cytogenetic studies. Now hepresented with fever, anemia and multiple painful skin nodules specially on the elbow andarms. The hematologic study showed blast crisis at the time of diagnosis. Skin biopsy showedsevere necrosis with many broad non-septated hyphae with acute angle branching. The fungalculture revealed mucormycosis.Discussion: Mucormycosis is an acute fulminant infection seen mainly inimmunocompromised patients. The infection is mainly involving rhinocerebral areas. Thecutaneous involvement is rarely reported in the medical literature. Cutaneous mucormycosiscould be easily neglected and physician should be aware for early diagnosis and prompttreatment.

کلیدواژه ها:

mucormycosis ، cutaneous ، leukemia ، CML