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Cryptococcal cellulitis may lead to amputation

A splinter injury progressed to finger necrosis in a patient with MDS, despite antibacterial treatment and no clinically apparent systemic dissemination.

  • By

  • Andrea Surnit

  • October 26, 2026

  • 4 min

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  • 1

    An 81-year-old man with transfusion-dependent myelodysplastic syndrome developed rapidly progressive right middle-finger cellulitis after a splinter injury.

  • 2

    Cryptococcus neoformans was identified in fungal cultures, and histopathology showed encapsulated yeast with narrow-based budding.

  • 3

    Despite empiric antibiotics and urgent exploration, extensive necrosis and digital arterial thrombosis led to amputation through the proximal interphalangeal joint.

  • 4

    Negative blood cultures and serum cryptococcal antigen tests, along with no systemic symptoms, supported localized infection, although occult dissemination was not definitively excluded.

  • 5

    After surgery and 9 weeks of antifungal therapy, the wound healed, and the patient remained well 6 months after treatment.

Original Source(s)

Cryptococcal cellulitis may lead to amputation

  • by Andrea Surnit

  • October 26, 2026

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