Premium
Chronic rhinocerebral mucormycosis: a rare case report and review of the literature
Author(s) -
Dimaka Konstantina,
Mallis Antonios,
Naxakis Stefanos S.,
Marangos Markos,
Papadas Theodoros A.,
Stathas Theodoros,
Mastronikolis Nicholas S.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
mycoses
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.13
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1439-0507
pISSN - 0933-7407
DOI - 10.1111/myc.12219
Subject(s) - mucormycosis , medicine , anosmia , surgery , rare disease , dermatology , disease , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , covid-19
Summary Rhinocerebral mucormycosis is an invasive infection caused by filamentous fungi of the Mucoraceae family. The rhinocerebral form of the disease represents the most common form and has two distinct clinical entities. The common presentation consists of a rapidly progressive infection with high mortality rate, while the other presentation is that of a chronic infection with lower mortality. In the present paper we report a rare case of chronic rhinocerebral mucormycosis. An 85‐year‐old male with a 6‐month history of purulent and odorous nasal discharge, and sporadic episodes of epistaxis and anosmia, presented to the outpatient department of our clinic. Initial cultures were positive only for Pseudomonas aeruginosa . The patient was unresponsive to ciprofloxacin treatment, developing necrotic areas of the nasal septum suspicious for rhinocerebral mucormycosis. Admission to the ENT clinic followed, with histopathologic evaluation of the vomer bone confirming the diagnosis. The patient was treated with amphotericin B and was discharged 3 weeks later on oral posaconazole therapy. Chronic rhinocerebral mucormycosis may present with atypical symptoms or coinfection with another agent. A high degree of clinical suspicion is required for correct diagnosis and prompt initiation of appropriate treatment.