Klin Onkol 2004; 17(5): 172-177.
Summary: Fungal infections are increasingly observed during periods of prolonged neutropenia following intensive cancer therapy. Mycotic brain abscesses are among the most feared ones. Such infection carries very high mortality. The authors report a 16-yearold girl, who developed a histologically proven aspergillus brain abscess during induction treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Treatment course was complicated by liver failure during early induction as well. Details of the antifungal therapy are described here. Prolonged, combined, antifungal therapy with neurosurgical interventions successfully eradicated the lesion, while allowing continuation in the patient’s antileukemic therapy. She remains in 1st complete remission of the ALL with no evidence of active mykotic infection, with no further antifungal treatment. We emphasize the need for a coordinated, multimodal diagnostic and therapeutic approach to treat such patients. Contemporary possibilities of antifungal treatment are discussed.
