NCMP-14. SKULL BASE OSTEOMYELITIS DUE TO COMMUNITY-ACQUIRED ASPERGILLUS FUMIGATUS MIMICKING RECURRENT CHONDROSARCOMA

Skull base chondrosarcomas are often low grade tumors that do not metastasize, but are locally invasive and often recur locally. Thus, when patients with these tumors re-present with new onset symptoms, even decades later, recurrent tumor is presumed. A 50 year old woman with skull base chondrosarcoma initially diagnosed 30 years prior developed the subacute onset of worsening confusion and vision, with progressive blindness. Imaging disclosed a bony-erosive skull base mass without associated sinusitis/sinus opacification; additional small cerebral infarcts were identified. She had been on physiologic replacement therapy for panhypopituitarism since the original surgery, but had not received recent radiation therapy or chemotherapy and did not have neutropenia. RESULTS: Biopsy disclosed a chronic inflammation and necrotic debris; only on permanent sections were septated, 45-degree angle-branching fungi identified in one area. These had morphological features of, and were polymerase chain reaction-proven, Aspergillus fumigatus. No recurrent tumor was present. Given the lack of perceived risk factors, further questioning of the patient and her mother disclosed that precisely 1 year prior to surgery she and her family had participated in “cleaning out an old very dirty and dusty barn” in southern Colorado without the use of face masks; only the proband experienced sequelae. Anti-fungal therapy (voriconazole) was recommended although patient use was intermittent and symptoms have progressed. CONCLUSION: Community-acquired Aspergillus infections due to exposure to silage or barn detritus contaminated by fungal hyphae is almost never seen today, in comparison to opportunistic infections due to known risk factors of neutropenia and/or steroid usage. Replacement therapy may have added to this patient’s risk. Infections all too often mimic recurrent tumor.