Rhinocerebral Mucormycosis and COVID-19 Pneumonia

Abstract

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is evolving, more complications associated with COVID-19 are emerging. In this case report, we present a case of rhinocerebral mucormycosis concurrent with COVID-19 pneumonia in a 41-year-old man with a history of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). COVID-19 pneumonia was diagnosed with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). He was promptly treated with steroids and hydroxychloroquine, as this was the recommended regional COVID-19 practice patterns at the time. He was treated with intravenous (IV) fluids and an insulin drip for his diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), cefepime and IV abelcet, along with three surgical debridements for the rhinocerebral mucormycosis. The pneumonia resolved during the course of his stay in the hospital. With prompt diagnosis and treatment of rhinocerebral mucormycosis, the patient was cleared for discharge and was instructed to complete his course of treatment with coumadin and IV abelcet at home. Saprophytic fungi cause rhinocerebral mucormycosis, a rare opportunistic infection of the sinuses, nasal passages, oral cavity and brain. It usually occurs in patients with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus or those who are immunocompromised, which is again demonstrated in this case report. In the setting of COVID-19 pneumonia and an underlying condition, healthcare professionals should act promptly. In cases where mucormycosis infection is suspected, a prompt diagnosis and treatment should be started because of the angioinvasive character and rapid disease progression that contribute to the severity of the mucormycosis infection.

Keywords: Amphotericin B; COVID-19; Debridement; Mucormycosis.

Figure 1

Intracranial abscess in the infratemporal fossa with cavernous sinus enhancement (top four images) and mucormycosis extension into the sinuses (bottom two images).