Rare Presentation of Nasal Mucormycosis

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Infectious Diseases
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Nasal mucormycosis is a rare, opportunistic fungal infection affecting the nasal cavity and sinuses.
• It poses a high mortality risk, particularly in immunocompromised individuals, including those with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, malignancies, or undergoing immunosuppressive therapy.
• While often presenting aggressively, it can also manifest as a chronic, indolent form.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of nasal mucormycosis presenting after nasal trauma.
• To highlight the importance of considering this diagnosis in patients with relevant risk factors and clinical presentations.
• To emphasize the need for timely diagnosis and treatment to improve outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Case presentation of a 65-year-old male with a history of nasal trauma and exposed nasal bone.
• Diagnostic procedures included fungal culture and histopathology with special staining (HPE).
• Treatment involved surgical debridement and local flap closure.

Main Results:

• Fungal culture identified *Lichtheimia corymbifera* as the causative agent.
• Histopathological examination revealed fungal elements with characteristic right-angle branching.
• The patient's diabetes was controlled with oral hypoglycemic agents, indicating that even controlled diabetes can be a risk factor.

Conclusions:

• Nasal mucormycosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of nasal infections, especially following trauma or in patients with risk factors.
• Early and effective treatment is essential to reduce the significant morbidity and mortality associated with this infection.
• Prompt recognition and management can lead to better patient outcomes.