Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis, a retrospective study of 7 cases.
Mucormycosis is an opportunistic fungal infection caused by fungi of the Mucorales order. It has a low incidence and is a potentially lethal infection which generally affects patients who are immunocompromised due to systemic disease. We report 7 cases of rhinocerebral mucormycosis in a retrospective study of 8 years (2000-2008) in haematological patients. An early diagnosis is essential, and therefore there must be a high level of clinical suspicion in patients with predisposing factors. Certainty diagnosis requires fungal cultures or biopsies of the affected areas which prove an invasion of the tissues by the characteristic hyphae. The key to treatment is early and aggressive surgical treatment, together with high intravenous doses of amphotericin B. Despite this, prognosis is poor and mortality is about 70-80%.
Santos Gorjón
Pablo
P
Servicio de Otorrinolaringología y Patología Cérvico-Facial, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, España. pabmaransantos@hotmail.com
Blanco Pérez
Pedro
P
Batuecas Caletrío
Angel
A
Muñoz Herrera
Angel M
AM
Sánchez González
Fernando
F
de la Fuente Cañibano
Rebeca
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D020314:Central Nervous System Fungal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003646:Debridement; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009091:Mucormycosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000666:Amphotericin B