Paraplegia secondary to disseminated mucormycosis: case report and literature review

BACKGROUND: We report a case of spine infection with mucormycosis that manifested signs of paraplegia in a patient suffering from disseminated mucormycosis. Timely and effective surgery was performed. A review of the literature is included. CASE PRESENTATION: A patient with diabetic ketoacidosis complained of back pain and fatigue for one month, and his right lower extremity activity had been limited for 10 days. T4–T6 vertebral and paravertebral soft tissue-involved infections were identified by MRI, which were derived from right lung pneumonia. He underwent abscess debridement, spinal canal decompression, pedicle screw fixation and amphotericin B liposome injection. Histopathological examination revealed broad aseptate hyphae suggestive of invasive mucormycosis. There was improvement in neurological function after surgical and medical treatment. Three months after the surgery, the patient died of uncontrollable massive bleeding of the urinary system. Mucormycosis is characterized by rapid development and a high mortality rate. This case shows the significance of a multidisciplinary team in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with mucormycosis. In addition, orthopedic surgeons should design appropriate surgery plans for spine-involved mucormycosis patients. CONCLUSION: This case present a patient with paraplegia caused by the spread of pulmonary mucormycosis to the vertebral and paravertebral soft tissue of levels T4–T6. After medical treatment, surgical debridement and internal fixation, the patient recovered well but later patient died of possible disease dissemination to the renal or urinary tract which resulted in massive haemorrhage.