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Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1982; 30(5): 322-324
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1022417
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Aspergillus Osteochondritis after Median Sternotomy. Combined Operative Treatment and Drug Therapy with Amphotericin B

F. Wellens, C. Potvliege, F. E. Deuvaert, G. Primo
  • Department of Cardiac Surgery and Department of Bacteriology, University Brugmann Hospital Brussels, Belgium
Further Information

Publication History

1982

Publication Date:
19 March 2008 (online)

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Summary

A case of Aspergillus fumigatus osteochondritis after median sternotomy for open heart surgery is presented. To the best of our knowledge, it is the second well documented case that has been reported in the literature.

Successful healing was obtained with combined operative treatment (consisting of a large resection of the 8th, 9th and 10th right costal cartilages and surrounding soft tissues), and systemic drug therapy with Amphotericin B.

Repeated serologic studies and bone scans were used for both the diagnosis and monitoring of the evolution of the infection; these 2 tools are recommended in cases of mycotic infections in that area.

Key words

Aspergillus fumigatus - Osteochondritis - Treatment