[A rare case of rhinocerebral mucormycosis]

The authors describe a rare case of rhinocerebral mucormycosis. This is an acute, suppurative mycosis with poor prognosis. It has a particular affinity for rhinocerebral tissue and less frequently affects pulmonary tissue. Mucormycosis affects immunosuppressed patients and more than 75% of the cases involve patients suffering from acidosis, especially diabetic ketoacidosis. One characteristic feature is that the blood vessels are flooded causing thromboses, infarction and emboli. The disease is spread through the blood vessels or by expansion. The first clinical symptoms can be confused with an early stage of acute sinusitis with mucosanguineous rhinorrhea, facial tumescence and pain. In 50% of the cases there is rhinocerebral and orbital involvement. If the disease remains untreated it can prove fatal in 10 to 14 days. Effective treatment relies on an early diagnosis and prompt administration of intravenous amphotericin B as well as avulsion of the necrotic areas. To date only 200 cases of this severe pathology have been described. The present work is an attempt to throw further light on this disorder.