[Mucormycosis]

Abstract

Mucormycosis, which is caused by a group of fungi found in rotting fruit and vegetables, can be fatal. The fungi do not cause disease in healthy individuals, but attack those with immunodepression. The usual patient is a diabetic in ketoacidosis, but also those with other causes of metabolic acidosis, such as AIDS, burns, and gastrointestinal tract ulcers, may be affected. When the disease results in infection of the sinuses, the patient may present with orbital apex syndrome: exophthalmos, IInd, IIIrd, IVth and VIth nerve involvement, conjunctival chemosis and central artery or vein occlusion. The presence of necrotic tissue in the nose should alert the physician to the possibility of mucormycosis. Prognosis is poor if it spreads to the brain or cavernous sinus and if treatment does not include surgery. We present 3 typical cases: a 71-year-old women and men aged 62 and 73, respectively. The first 2 died soon after the diagnosis was established. They had been conservatively treated and the disease had spread to the brain. The third survived after several months of treatment which included surgical debridement.