title: Rhinocerebral mucormycosis--a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rhinocerebral mucormycosis (RCM) is a rare, fulminating opportunistic fungal infection caused by a fungus of order Mucorales. These fungi are ubiquitus, subsisting on decaying vegetation and diverse organic material. Although fungi and spores of Mucorales show minimal intrinsic pathogenicity towards normal person, they can initiate aggressive and fulminating infection in immunocompromised host. Since RCM occurs infrequently, it may pose a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma for those who are not familiar with its clinical presentation.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a patient with classical presentation of RCM involving paranasal sinuses, orbit, and cranial base who was treated by combination of aggressive surgical and medical therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to the clinical presentation and pathogenesis of RCM and to emphasize need for high index of suspicion in diagnosis and treatment.
authors.affiliation: People's College of Dental Sciences & Research Centre, Bhopal, India. shajihoss@gmail.com
authors.forename: Shaji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: V Dal
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Yuvaraj
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Vaithilingam
authors.forename: Sumeeth Cyriac
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Thayil
authors.forename: Rohit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kothari
mesh_terms: D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003646:Debridement; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications; D016883:Diabetic Ketoacidosis / Q000150:complications; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008047:Lip Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008437:Maxilla / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009091:Mucormycosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009666:Nose / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D010254:Paranasal Sinus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000666:Amphotericin B