Fatal Pulmonary Hemorrhage Through Fiberoptic Broncoscopy in a Well Controlled Diabetic Female With Mucormycosis

Abstract

A rare case of invasive pulmonary mucormycosis complicated by fatal massive haemoptysis through bronchoscopy in a patient with a well controlled diabetes is reported. Histological features of infection are reported and the characteristic aspects of the staining are discussed. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed bilateral obstruction of the segmental bronchi and fatal massive bleeding occurring because of biopsy sampling. Caution is warranted in the use of bronchoscopy sampling in patients with radiological features of cavitated lesions of fungal origins. Better preventive and early therapeutic antifungal treatments are needed to avoid this serious complication.