Rhinoorbitocerebral Mucormycosis with Maggots in a Neglected Diabetic Patient

Coronavirus-associated mucormycosis: different from sinonasal mucormycosis

Objective

To study unusual presentations of coronavirus-associated mucormycosis that are rarely seen in sinonasal mucormycosis cases.

Method

The data of 400 rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis patients admitted to Sawai Man Singh Hospital, Jaipur, from May 2021 to June 2021, were retrospectively collected. The diagnosis of mucormycosis was made by histological examination of biopsy samples.

Results

Out of 400 patients, 62 had symptoms other than common symptoms of rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis. Thirty-four patients had facial palsy, 19 complained of gum ulcers, 6 developed a cheek abscess, 2 complained of maggots in the nose along with common rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis symptoms, and 1 had a cerebellar infarct.

Conclusion

Mucormycosis is a disease with various presentations, and coronavirus-associated mucormycosis has added unusual presentations to the existing list of manifestations of rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis. In this coronavirus disease era, mucormycosis should always be considered as a diagnosis in patients with these unusual presentations.

Managing mucormycosis in diabetic patients: A case report with critical review of the literature

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) is a rare and potentially fatal invasive fungal infection which usually occurs in diabetic and other immunocompromised patients. This infection is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Prompt diagnosis and rapid aggressive surgical debridement and antimycotic therapy are essential for the patient's survival. Herein, we reviewed the localization and treatment strategies in patients with ROCM and diabetes as an underlying condition. Furthermore, we report one case of ROCM in our department.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From 117 identified studies published in PubMed, 14 publications-containing data from 54 patients-were included. All patients were diagnosed clinically and by histopathological and/or bacteriological analysis for ROCM caused by the order Mucorales.

CONCLUSION

Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus is one of the main risk factors for ROCM. A successful management of ROCM requires an early diagnosis, a prompt systemic antifungal therapy, and a rapid aggressive surgical debridement including exploration of the pterygopalatine fossa. An orbital exenteration may be necessary.

Epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of cerebral mucormycosis in diabetic patients: A systematic review of case reports and case series

BACKGROUND

Patients with diabetes are known as an important high-risk group for cerebral mucormycosis (CM).

METHOD

We conducted a structured search using PubMed/MEDLINE to collect both case reports and case series case (ie including at least two patients) onto CM in diabetic patient published between 2000 and March 2020.

RESULTS

Forty-five reports of individual cases and eighteen case series articles were included. India accounted for the largest share of reports with 37.7% and 38.8% of individual cases and case series, respectively. Mortality ranged from 0% to 100% in the case series. The overall mortality in the individual cases was 46.3%, and 64.2% of deaths were reported in patients with ketoacidosis diabetes. Facial swelling (53.3%), headache (44.4%), loss of vision (35.5%) and ophthalmoplegia (35.5%) were the most frequently reported clinical symptoms. In all patients except 4 (91.1%), CM was treated surgically; however, in many cases (42%), despite the use of surgery, death occurred. Amphotericin B deoxycholate (AMB) and lipid-based AMB (LAMB) were used as the first lines of treatment for all patients; however, posaconazole, echinocandins, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and deferasirox were used in combination for a number of patients. Posaconazole has been shown to have positive therapeutic effect; however, posaconazole, LAMB and HBOT are not commonly used in low-income and health-challenged countries.

CONCLUSION

Cerebral mucormycosis is a rapidly progressive infection in diabetic patients and carries immense morbidity despite early diagnosis and treatment. Low-income countries have had the highest number of reports of the disease in recent years, indicating the need to control diabetes in these countries.