What Researchers Did
Researchers described successful HBOT treatment in a 20-year-old patient with life-threatening disseminated Saksenaea and Fusarium fungal infections following aviation trauma, while the patient remained on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
What They Found
After 13 HBOT sessions at 2.4 ATA, local and systemic disease control was achieved within days of starting HBOT, despite prior failure of maximal surgical debridement and antifungal therapy. The patient survived and was discharged after prolonged rehabilitation.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Invasive fungal infections with near-100% mortality represent an extreme unmet need. This case suggests HBOT may serve as a salvage option for angioinvasive fungal disease when standard therapies have failed, relevant for Canadian trauma and transplant centres.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
A single case report with concurrent multi-modal treatment cannot isolate HBOT contribution to the outcome.