Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis: five cases

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Infectious Diseases
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Mucormycosis is a life-threatening invasive fungal infection primarily affecting immunocompromised individuals.
• Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis presents a high mortality rate if not diagnosed and treated promptly.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report five cases of rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis in diabetic patients.
• To review the literature on this aggressive fungal infection.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of medical records for five patients with rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis.
• Histopathological examination of tissue biopsies to identify non-septate hyphae of Mucorales.
• Review of diagnostic imaging (CT scans) and clinical presentations.

Main Results:

• All five patients were diabetic and presented with symptoms including exophthalmia, facial swelling, and cranial nerve palsy.
• Diabetic ketoacidosis was a common presentation, with CT scans confirming rhino-orbital-cerebral involvement in all cases.
• Two out of five patients survived after treatment with intravenous amphotericin B and surgical debridement.

Conclusions:

• Mucormycosis poses a significant threat to diabetic patients, often leading to fatal outcomes.
• Prompt diagnosis, supported by imaging and histology, is essential for effective management.
• Aggressive treatment combining Amphotericin B and surgical intervention is critical to reduce mortality in rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis.