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Updated: Aug 15, 2026
Combined Near-infrared Fluorescent Imaging and Micro-computed Tomography for Directly Visualizing Cerebral Thromboemboli
Published on: September 25, 2016
[Imaging of rhinocerebral mucormycosis]
1Service d'Imagerie Médicale, Hôpital Charles Nicolle, 1006 Tunis, Tunisie.
Purpose:
Rhinocerebal mucormycosis is a rare life threatening fungal infection observed in immunocompromised patients. We report six cases of patients with rhinocerebral mucormycosis confirmed histologically. Our study confirms the necessity of early diagnosis when clinical and CT findings are suggestive.
Materials And Methods:
This is a retrospective study including 6 diabetic patients (3 women and 3 men) aged from 28 and 63 years. Five patients had ethmoiditis evolving for a few days (3 to 5 days), and one patient was in an ketoacidotic coma and had a severe infectious syndrome with purulent rhinorrhea evolving for 4 days. All of our patients underwent computed tomography (CT) scan of the paranasal sinuses. MRI was performed in two patients with neurological findings.
Results:
Unilateral ethmoido-maxillary sinusitis was noted in 5 cases. Only one case of pansinusitis was found. All patients presented orbital involvement. Cerebral involvement was noted in 4 cases (cerebral venous thrombosis: 2 cases; abscess: 2 cases; cerebral ischemia: 2 cases). The diagnosis of mucormycosis was based on endonasal biopsy. When available, MRI allowed a more precise evaluation of the orbital and cerebral extension.
Conclusion:
Mucormycosis is an opportunist mycosis due to mucoralis fungus. It is very invasive with a highly aggressive potential in diabetic or immunocompromised patients. Imaging study particularly CT scan, plays an important role in diagnosis especially to evaluate cerebral extension.
Insights
Early diagnosis of rhinocerebral mucormycosis is crucial for immunocompromised patients. This study highlights the importance of clinical and CT findings for timely identification of this invasive fungal infection.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Radiology
Background:
- Rhinocerebral mucormycosis is a rare, life-threatening fungal infection.
- It predominantly affects immunocompromised individuals, particularly those with diabetes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report six cases of histologically confirmed rhinocerebral mucormycosis.
- To emphasize the necessity of early diagnosis based on clinical and CT findings.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 6 diabetic patients (28-63 years old).
- Clinical evaluation, CT scans of paranasal sinuses, and MRI for neurological involvement.
- Diagnosis confirmed by endonasal biopsy.
Main Results:
- Five patients had unilateral ethmoido-maxillary sinusitis; one had pansinusitis.
- All patients showed orbital involvement.
- Four patients had cerebral involvement, including cerebral venous thrombosis, abscess, and ischemia.
Conclusions:
- Mucormycosis is an aggressive, invasive mycosis in immunocompromised patients.
- CT scans are vital for diagnosis and assessing cerebral extension.
- Early diagnosis significantly impacts patient outcomes.
