Rhinocerebral Mucormycosis

Excerpt

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis, also known as zygomycosis, is a rare but serious fungal infection caused by filamentous fungi that primarily affect the nose, paranasal sinuses, and brain. These fungi are opportunistic pathogens that typically infect individuals with weakened immune systems. In such immunocompromised patients, the fungus can grow rapidly and aggressively, resulting in a well-defined, fulminant, and potentially fatal condition. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are critical to reducing mortality and preventing permanent neurological damage. Although most cases present as acute fungal infections, chronic presentations have also been reported. These chronic cases are characterized by indolent, slowly progressive symptoms, which develop over several weeks.

Commonly associated medical conditions include diabetic ketoacidosis, severe burns, steroid therapy, solid organ transplantation, prolonged corticosteroid use, hemochromatosis, HIV infection, neutropenia, malnutrition, and hematological malignancies. However, the absence of identifiable risk factors does not rule out the possibility of mucormycosis. Research has shown that approximately 9% of rhinocerebral mucormycosis cases occur in patients without identifiable predisposing factors.