A 12 yr old girl with type 1 diabetes presented in ketoacidosis and
consolidation of left lower lobe along with left pleural effusion. A diagnosis of
mucormycosis was made on smear examination of an exudative pleural aspirate. Left lower
lobe lobectomy was performed along with drainage of pleural collection with tube
thoracostomy. Worsening respiratory distress postoperatively due to increase in empyema
fluid necessitated a second surgery. Pleuropulmonary involvement as seen in this patient
is an extremely rare occurrence possibly related to the propensity of mucor to invade
blood vessels rather than extend outwardly into pleural cavity.
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