[Rhinofacial mucormycosis: A case report]

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Infectious Diseases
• Pediatrics

Context:

• Mucormycosis is a rare but often fatal opportunistic fungal infection in immunocompromised children.
• It is caused by fungi in the order Mucorales, leading to extensive tissue damage.
• This case highlights the severity of sinonasal mucormycosis in a pediatric patient with hemophagocytic syndrome.

Purpose:

• To report a fatal case of sinonasal mucormycosis in a 23-month-old child.
• To emphasize the importance of recognizing and rapidly diagnosing this rare fungal infection in pediatric patients.
• To discuss the diagnostic challenges and treatment outcomes.

Summary:

• A pediatric patient with hemophagocytic syndrome developed sinonasal mucormycosis caused by Absidia corymbifera.
• Diagnosis was confirmed through mycological examination of nasal swabs and histology.
• Despite initiating amphotericin B treatment, the patient experienced a fatal outcome due to rapid disease progression.

Impact:

• This case underscores the critical need for heightened clinical suspicion for mucormycosis in immunocompromised children presenting with sinonasal symptoms.
• It emphasizes that rapid mycological and histological diagnosis is essential for timely intervention.
• Urgent treatment initiation is vital to improve the generally poor prognosis associated with pediatric mucormycosis.