Mucormycosis Osteomyelitis of the Hand

Abstract

Mucormycosis is a relatively uncommon but highly aggressive fungal infection caused by the Mucormycotina subgroup of fungi. Mucormycosis usually affects the skin, sinuses, or lungs of an immunocompromised host. Other risk factors for development of mucormycosis include hematologic malignancy, intravenous drug abuse, chronic steroid use, and contaminated traumatic wounds. Cutaneous mucormycosis of the hand involving the skin and soft tissues is rare but has been reported previously. In this case report, we review the clinical course of a patient with mucormycosis of the hand who was found to have extensive soft tissue and bony destruction and ultimately required amputation.

Keywords: Amputation; case report; hand infection; mucormycosis; osteomyelitis.