[Rhinofacial mucormycosis: A case report]

Mucormycosis is the third among deep fungal opportunistic infections after candidiasis and aspergillosis. It is a rare fungal infection in children, but often fatal, which occurs in immunocompromised patients. It is caused by fungi belonging to the order of mucorales. It causes extensive damage and decaying soft parts. The authors report the case of a sinonasal mucormycosis with fatal outcome in a child suffering from hemophagocytic syndrome.

PL, aged 23 months, resulting from non-consanguineous parents, hospitalized for management of hemophagocytic syndrome lasting for 2 months suspected on clinical and biological data. This diagnosis was confirmed on histology. The etiological diagnosis was negative. A broad-spectrum antibiotics and corticosteroids was introduced. A month later, the patient developed necrotic lesions in the nose and facing the right maxillary sinus. CT scan of facial mass objectived ethmoïdomaxillary bilateral sinusitis. The mycological examination of a nasal swab showed the presence of non-compartmentalized hyphae, culture on Sabouraud chloramphenicol medium without actidione at 37°C isolated Absidia corymbifera. Treatment with amphotericin B was initiated but not tolerated. The negative trend was rapidly leading to death.

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection in children, we must know how to keep it in mind. The mycological examination and/or histology of a local levy allows rapid diagnosis. Treatment should be initiated urgently to improve the prognosis.