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Case Reports
. 2018 Jan;22(Suppl 1):S112-S116.
doi: 10.4103/jomfp.JOMFP_163_17.

Mucormycosis in immunocompetent patient resulting in extensive maxillary sequestration

Affiliations
Case Reports

Mucormycosis in immunocompetent patient resulting in extensive maxillary sequestration

Deepak Venkatesh et al. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol. 2018 Jan.

Abstract

Mucormycosis or zygomycosis, also called phycomycosis, is an uncommon, invasive, potentially lethal and an aggressive fungal infection of the order Mucorales that usually affects patients with alteration of their immunological system. From its initial description (Paltauf, 1885), this entity still has a high mortality. Imaging techniques are not usually diagnostic, and cultures are not totally reliable. Definitive diagnosis is exclusively obtained by means of histopathological examination. Early recognition and aggressive treatment are of paramount importance and have reduced the mortality and morbidity. We present here a case report of oral mucormycosis in a 32-year-old male, immunocompetent individual resulting in extensive maxillary sequestration.

Keywords: Immunocompetent; mucormycosis; osteomyelitis; predisposing factors; rhinocerebral; sequestration; zygomycosis.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Panoramic radiograph showing diffuse rarefaction of the alveolar process and the hard palate
Figure 2
Figure 2
Coronal computed tomography image showing thickening of mucosa and opacification maxillary antrum with anterior wall destruction
Figure 3
Figure 3
Surgically excised maxilla
Figure 4
Figure 4
Whole slide scan showing (arrowheads) vasculitis consistent with inflammatory response to mucor angioinvasion (H&E, original magnification ×4)
Figure 5
Figure 5
H&E stained section showing dense inflammatory infiltrate chiefly composed of eosinophils and hyphae branching in right angle and obtuse angles, mucormycotic hyphae, surrounded by extensive necrotic debris. These morphological features define mucor (H&E, original magnification ×100)
Figure 6
Figure 6
H&E section reveals numerous fungal hyphae which are aseptate, broad with obtuse angle branching, in right angle, typical of mucormycosis
Figure 7
Figure 7
Postoperative wound healed uneventfully after surgical reconstruction
Figure 8
Figure 8
Diagnosis and management of mucormycosis

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