Hepatosplenic fungal infection: CT and pathologic evaluation after treatment with liposomal amphotericin B

Abstract

Disseminated fungal disease, predominantly involving liver and spleen, developed in eight patients with hematologic malignancies. Because the patients failed to respond to standard antifungal drugs, they were treated with liposomal amphotericin B (L AmpB). Before therapy began, the diagnosis was confirmed histologically and the patients underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT), which indicated hepatosplenomegaly with or without multiple microabscesses in the liver and spleen. After each course of treatment with L AmpB, patients underwent CT, followed by either open or CT-guided percutaneous aspiration biopsy of the liver. Post-treatment CT showed partial regression of lesions in six patients and persistence in two. In all patients a liver biopsy confirmed that the lesions noted after treatment were due to granulomas or focal areas of fibrosis compatible with healing. Thus, the persistence of multiple defects on enhanced scans in two patients was not an indication of persistent abscesses. Clinical response was an additional important factor. Close clinical and pathologic correlation in addition to CT scanning are required in the follow-up of hepatosplenic fungal infections.