Aspergillus mycetoma in a secondary hydroxyapatite orbital implant: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Objective The authors describe the first case report of a fungal abscess within a hydroxyapatite orbital implant in a patient who had undergone straightforward secondary hydroxyapatite implant surgery. Design Case report and literature review. Intervention Four months postoperatively after pegging and 17 months after original implant placement, chronic discharge and socket irritation became evident. Recurrent pyogenic granulomas were a problem, but no obvious area of dehiscence was present over the implant. The peg and sleeve were removed 31 months after pegging (44 months after original placement of the implant). The pain and discharge did not resolve, and the entire hydroxyapatite orbital implant was removed 45 months after sleeve placement and 58 months after initial implant placement. The pain and discharge settled rapidly. Main outcome measures Cultures and histopathology. Results Results of bacterial cultures were negative. Results of histopathologic examination of the implant disclosed intertrabecular spaces with multiple clusters of organisms consistent with Aspergillus. Conclusions Persistent orbital discomfort, discharge, and pyogenic granulomas after hydroxyapatite implantation should cause concern regarding potential implant infection. The authors have now shown that this implant infection could be bacterial or fungal in nature. This is essentially a new form of orbital Aspergillus, that of a chronic infection limited to a hydroxyapatite implant.