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Retrospective Clinical Study of Eighty-One Cases of Intracranial Mucormycosis
Jinjian Ma1, Ruichao Jia1, Jin Li1
1Department of Neurosurgery, First Central Hospital, No 24 Fukang Road, Nankai, Tianjin, China.
Background:
Fungal infections of the central nervous system, especially cerebral mucormycosis or brain abscess are very rare.Cerebral mucormycosis is a rare disease. It is not an independent disease, but a secondary opportunistic infectious disease.
Materials And Methods:
This study has collected the data of 81 cases of intracranial mucormycosis from 28 Chinese hospitals, within 37 years, as well as reviewed the literatures and retrospectively analyzed and summarized this disease's background, clinical classifications, risk factors, pathology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.
Results:
The 81 IM cases were aged between 15 days (the youngest) and 79 years (oldest), with a mean age of 41.6 years. Among them, 12 cases were <1 year old (the infant group), six cases were within one to 13 years old (the children group), and 63 cases were >14 years old (the adult group ). 45 cases were male and 36 were female, with a male/female ratio of 1.25:1.0. The shortest duration of the disease was three days, and the longest was 248 days.
Conclusions:
This study helped to realize an early diagnosis and treatment, improve the cure rate, and reduce mortality.
Insights
Intracranial mucormycosis is a rare, opportunistic fungal infection. This study analyzed 81 cases to improve early diagnosis, treatment, and reduce mortality rates for this serious brain abscess.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Mycology
Background:
- Central nervous system fungal infections, particularly cerebral mucormycosis (brain abscess), are exceptionally rare.
- Cerebral mucormycosis is an opportunistic infection, often secondary to other conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively analyze intracranial mucormycosis (IM).
- To summarize the disease's background, clinical features, risk factors, and prognosis.
- To inform early diagnosis and treatment strategies.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 81 intracranial mucormycosis cases from 28 Chinese hospitals over 37 years.
- Literature review and data summarization.
- Analysis of patient demographics, disease duration, and clinical characteristics.
Main Results:
- The study included 81 patients aged 15 days to 79 years (mean 41.6 years).
- Cases were categorized into infant (<1 year), children (1-13 years), and adult (>14 years) groups.
- The male to female ratio was 1.25:1.0, with disease duration ranging from 3 to 248 days.
Conclusions:
- Improved understanding of intracranial mucormycosis aids early diagnosis.
- Timely and effective treatment can enhance cure rates.
- Reducing mortality associated with this rare infection is a key objective.
