Candida Skull Base Osteomyelitis: a Case Report and Literature Review

Long-Term Follow-Up of a Case of Probable Aspergillus Skull Base Osteomyelitis With Galactomannan Test and Literature Review

We report a probable case of Aspergillus basicranial infection diagnosed by pathogenic serological examination presenting atypical initial manifestations, and highlight the importance of serological examination to avoid treatment delay and disease management. An 84-year-old diabetic patient presented with right peripheral nerve palsy, intolerable otalgia, hearing loss, dysphagia, hoarseness, and bucking. The patient was diagnosed a probable Aspergillus skull base osteomyelitis with cranial neuritis and meningitis of central nervous system. Galactomannan test was used in combination with 1-3-β-D-glucan and magnetic resonance imaging to follow-up during the continuous treatment of voriconazole. To date, the patient has remained in clinical remission for over 39 months but the drug cannot be stopped safely.

Extensive Sequestration Chronic Maxillary Osteomyelitis in an Uncontrolled Diabetic Patient: Comprehensive Case Management of a Rare Entity

The hallmark of osteomyelitis was progressive bone destruction and sequestrum formation. In the underlying disease, like diabetes mellitus, osteomyelitis becomes severe and exacerbates the condition. It was essential for the oral and maxillofacial surgeon to comprehend its complex medical and surgical management to achieve complete disease eradication. The aim of this article was to report a rare case and comprehensive management of extensive sequestrating maxillary osteomyelitis with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus patients. A 58-year-old male patient with pain and swelling accompanied by discharge of pus in the sinistra maxilla region. The systemic disease was identified as uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, and had a history of unhealing wounds 1 year ago after upper left molar extraction. Computed tomography scan result showed extensive sequester formation and bony destruction in the right extending to the left maxilla. Microbial culture results were Klebsiella pneumoniae and Morganella morganii. Subsequently, extensive sequestrectomy and multiple extractions of the involved jaw and teeth were performed after diabetes mellitus was regulated. A suspension suture against oral and nasal mucosa was performed to avoid dead space formation. Comprehensive perioperative management in maxillary osteomyelitis in uncontrolled diabetes mellitus includes sequestrectomy, definitive antibiotic therapy based on culture results, and diabetes regulation to improve the successful management of this case.

Beware of covert enemies: Candida orthopsilosis malignant otitis externa with base of the skull osteomyelitis, a case report and review of literature

Background

Malignant otitis externa (MOE) is a serious infection of the external auditory canal that is frequently associated with skull base osteomyelitis (SBO) as well as secondary neurological sequelae. Patients with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus or immunosuppression are at increased risk of developing such critical infection for multiple local and systemic factors. While most cases are secondary to bacterial infections particularlyPseudomonas aeruginosa, fungal infections are also occasionally encountered, often associated with delayed diagnosis and high morbidity and mortality.

Case report

We report a case of a 63 years old man with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus who presented with symptoms and signs of MOE, supported by radiological assessments. The patient was treated presumptively with a prolonged course of antibiotics without clinical improvement, coupled with progression of radiological findings and significant disease extension. Reassessment with biopsies and tissue cultures from external auditory meatus, tempo-mandibular bone, as well as base of the skull grew Candida orthopsilosis. The patient received induction treatment with high dose liposomal amphotericin followed by fluconazole to control disease progression and complications.

Conclusion

Candida MOE with secondary skull base osteomyelitis is rare and difficult to diagnose with no clear guidance on assessment and management. Clinicians should be aware of the unusual presentations where microbiological and histopathological evaluations are essential for proper management.