Rhinocerebral mucormycosis - an uncommon but deadly disease

ABSTRACT

Mucormycosis is caused by fungi of the order Mucorales and is one of the most rapidly fatal fungal infections known to man. Rhinocerebral mucormycosis is the most common type and its extension to the orbit and brain is quite usual. Location of mucormycosis on the palate is a rare and late occurrence. Rhinocerebral mucormycosis is an invasive fungal infection initiated in the paranasal sinuses that frequently progresses to orbital and brain involvement. If recognized early, involvement is limited to the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Diabetics in poor control are at greatest risk, however, any immunocompromised individual may be infected. We present here two cases of mucormycosis with different presentation and outcome. By presenting these case reports we would like to point out that mucormycosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of hard palate ulcers and orbital cellulitis. They also illustrate the clinical course of this unusual, but potentially fatal, fungal infection. Taxonomy, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of mucormycosis of the paranasal sinuses are reviewed in detail