Disseminated invasive aspergillosis in a prolonged stay in the intensive care unit

Aspergillus is a common cause of invasive mycosis, especially in immunocompromised individuals. We report the case of a 62-year-old male who was hospitalized after suffering severe physical injuries and died after few weeks of hospitalization. A medicolegal autopsy was conducted, and various organs were sent for histopathological examination of which heart, lungs, and kidneys showed extensive involvement by aspergillus. Thus, a diagnosis of disseminated invasive aspergillosis was made on autopsy, which itself is a rare entity. This case report illustrates a prolonged stay in the intensive care unit as a possible risk factor for the development of disseminated aspergillosis.

Concurrent Low Dose Carboplatin with Radiotherapy Versus Radiotherapy alone in Management of Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer Patients.

A prospective study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of concurrent chemotherapy with single agent low dose Carboplatin and radiotherapy on survival, functional and quality of life outcomes in locally advanced head and neck cancer patients. Material and Methods : Sixty inoperable, previously untreated locally advanced head and neck cancer patients were planned to be treated with radical radiotherapy 66 Gy with concurrent single agent chemotherapy with low dose Carboplatin 150 mg IV weekly up to 6.3 weeks (Group A) and conventional radical radiotherapy alone (Group B). Results : After completion of therapy in Group A complete response was observed in 19/30 (63%) patient and in control group B in 10/30 (33%).Grade II mucosal toxicities were observed in 40% of cases and 33 % of cases in study and control group respectively. Conclusion : Concomitant single agent chemo radiotherapy with low dose Carboplatin could be a better choice in advanced stage of Head and Neck carcinoma in terms of survival, acceptable toxicities together with enhanced response and quality of life.