title: A rapidly fatal palatal ulcer: rhinocerebral mucormycosis.
abstract: A case of a patient with a palatal ulcer who was in a diabetic ketoacidotic coma is described. This ulcer proved to be the presenting sign of rhinocerebral mucormycosis. The patient had hemifacial swelling, ocular signs, and gross tissue destruction and died less than 4 weeks after she was first seen.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, Republic of South Africa.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Van der Westhuijzen
authors.forename: F W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Grotepass
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wyma
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Padayachee
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D009091:Mucormycosis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D010159:Palate / Q000473:pathology*; D010254:Paranasal Sinus Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D014456:Ulcer / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology