Brachial plexus neuritis and fatal hemorrhage following Aspergillus infection of a Hickman catheter.
A patient with relapse of acute granulocytic leukemia developed an Aspergillus infection along the subcutaneous tract of a silicone rubber indwelling central venous catheter. The infection invaded the brachial plexus resulting in paralysis of the right upper extremity and subsequently invaded a major artery of the arm resulting in the demise of the patient. Both an infectious brachial plexus neuritis and fatal hemorrhage secondary to a Hickman catheter are apparently rare.
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000150:complications*; D001917:Brachial Plexus; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009443:Neuritis / Q000209:etiology*; D013866:Thioguanine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003561:Cytarabine; D013866:Thioguanine