Surgical debridement for acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis during the pre-engraftment phase of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: Two case reports

RATIONALE: Surgical intervention may be not a contraindication for acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFR) during the pre-engraftment period of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). PATIENT CONCERNS: We present 2 cases involving patients with AIFR in the pre-engraftment phase of allo-HSCT. DIAGNOSES: Both patients received surgical debridement combined with systemic antifungal treatment. The biopsies identified the diagnosis of AIFR in these 2 cases. OUTCOMES: The 2 patients obtained normal hematopoiesis without recurrence of AIFR. LESSON: Our experience with these 2 cases suggests that prompt endoscopic surgical debridement is not an absolute contraindication for allo-HSCT recipients with AIFR during the pre-engraftment period. If permitted, urgent, radical, and aggressive but careful endoscopic debridement should be performed together with systemic antifungal treatment once AIFR has been diagnosed or suspected.