Rhino-Orbital-Cerebral Mucormycosis: A Rare Complication of Uncontrolled Diabetes

Case Rep Surg. 2022 Oct 5:2022:6535588. doi: 10.1155/2022/6535588. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Introduction: Fungal infection of the central nervous system has become more common over the past two decades. It is frequently diagnosed in patients with underlying pathological conditions. We herein report a case of rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis by outlining the clinical presentation, radiological images, histopathological findings, management plan, and its clinical outcome. Case Description. A 47-year-old man, known to have type 2 diabetes mellitus, presented with severe headache involving the left side of the face, numbness along the left V2 trigeminal nerve, ptosis and dryness of the left eye, short-term memory loss, and right hand numbness. He had a social history of being a bee farmer for which he was exposed to bee stings several times in the past. Neuroradiological imaging showed a left temporal ring-enhancing lesion, suggestive of abscess. The patient underwent craniotomy and resection of the lesion. The histopathological evaluation was suggestive of cerebral mucormycosis, fungal sinusitis, and invasive skull base mucormycosis.

Conclusion: Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis is a fulminant fungal infection commonly diagnosed in patients with uncontrolled diabetes. Early diagnosis with radiological and histopathological evaluation is required to identify patients at risk of rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis.

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  • Case Reports