Rhinocerebral mucormycosis in a patient with cirrhosis and chronic renal failure

Abstract

Mucormycosis is an opportunistic fungal infection caused by Mucorales. The disease is uncommon and produces serious and rapidly fatal infection in diabetic or immunocompromised patients. The classical presentation of rhinocerebral mucormycosis is involvement of nasal mucosa with invasion of paranasal sinuses and orbit. Early diagnosis is based on (direct) histological examination and computed tomography scan. Unfortunately the clinical signs and symptoms do not occur in all cases. A high index of suspicion is needed not only in typical groups of immunocompromised patients or diabetics, but also in patients with serious chronic diseases. We report a patient who was not diabetic, but she had a history of cirrhosis and well compensated renal failure.