Cephalic phycomycosis: a report of eight cases.
Phycomycosis is the preferred terminology to define a fungal disease which may be devastating and fatal. It is caused by a nonseptate hyphae, class phycomycetes and genus (Rhizopus, Mucor, Absidia). Phycomycosis in man is usually associated with debilitating diseases such as: diabetes mellitus, leukemia and immunosuppressive conditions. The cephalic phycomycosis has two forms: 1. rhino-orbital cerebral which may be fatal, and 2. rhino-paranasal sinuses form which usually has a benign clinical course. From 1943 to 1967, only 45 cases of the cephalic form were described with a mortality rate of 50%. Since then several series have been added to the literature with improved survival, probably due to the addition of amphotericin B to the therapy. Even with modern therapy, the mortality rate is still about 30%. Modern technology C.T. scan is very helpful to establish orbital and intracranial extension. When intracranial involvement is present, the prognosis is dismal. Our series of 8 patients is reported.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009091:Mucormycosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D010254:Paranasal Sinus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000666:Amphotericin B