Brachial plexus neuritis and fatal hemorrhage following Aspergillus infection of a Hickman catheter

Cancer. 1982 Sep 15;50(6):1214-7. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19820915)50:6<1214::aid-cncr2820500633>3.0.co;2-p.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Aspergillosis / complications*
  • Brachial Plexus*
  • Catheters, Indwelling / adverse effects*
  • Cytarabine / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Hemorrhage / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / complications
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / drug therapy*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuritis / etiology*
  • Thioguanine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cytarabine
  • Thioguanine