Rhinocerebral mucormycosis: a report of two cases

Abstract

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis is an aggressive fungal disease that involves the nose, paranasal sinuses, orbit and central nervous system. It may rapidly be fatal. This infection usually occurs secondary to immune suppression, diabetic ketoacidosis, and prolonged use of antibiotics, steroids, and cytotoxic drugs. Management of the condition consists of treatment of the underlying disease and surgical debridement combined with intravenous amphotericin B. This paper presents two patients with rhinocerebral mucormycosis, both suffering from diabetes. Complete recovery was achieved in one patient with surgical debridement of necrotic tissue combined with systemic antifungal treatment, whereas in the other, the disease was complicated with subarachnoid hemorrhage and the patient died on the third day of treatment.