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. 2016 Apr 7:11:28-30.
doi: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2016.04.002. eCollection 2016 Mar.

Scedosporium apiospermum as a rare cause of central skull base osteomyelitis

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Scedosporium apiospermum as a rare cause of central skull base osteomyelitis

Päivi Jalava-Karvinen et al. Med Mycol Case Rep. .

Abstract

We report a case of Scedosporium apiospermum mold causing ear infection, central skull base osteomyelitis and finally, occlusion of carotid artery in a 48-year-old diabetic man. The exact diagnosis was established and the severity of the disease understood several months after the onset of symptoms. Despite of appropriate antifungal therapy, and repeated surgical and otological procedures, the infection progressed to fatal cerebral infarction.

Keywords: Central skull base osteomyelitis; Mold infection; Scedosporium apiospermum.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1
MRI showing the evolution of the right ICA (arrow) infiltration at the level of cavernous sinus. On day 80 there is no visible infiltration and vessel walls are normal. On day 97, vessel walls are thick and the flow in the ICA seems to be slower. On day 135, the whole right ICA is occluded by non-enhancing material which was later proven to be of fungal origin.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2
Photomicrograph of the ICA, PAS staining. Fungal hyphae (arrow) are seen among arterial wall smooth muscle cells and necrotic debris.

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