title: Successful Management of a Unique Condition of Isolated Intracranial Mucormycosis in an Immunocompetent Child.
abstract: This report describes a unique case of isolated intracranial mucormycosis of a slowly progressive nature in a healthy immunocompetent child. A 4-year-old girl with a clear medical and surgical history presented with complaints of right side facial asymmetry and unsteady gait for a period of 10 months. Clinical and radiographic investigations revealed right-sided lower motor neuron facial palsy caused by an infiltrative lesion on the right cerebellopontine angle. Initial surgical debulking was performed, a biopsy was sent for histopathological examination, and a course of prophylactic antibiotic and antifungal drugs was prescribed. The pathological report confirmed the mucormycosis fungal infection, and intravenous amphotericin B was administered for 3 weeks. One month after admission, the patient left the hospital with complete recovery. Follow-ups after 4, 8 and 12 weeks revealed no sensory or motor neurological deficits. In conclusion, this is a unique case of mucormycosis with regard to the nature and location of the infection, along with the host being a healthy child. Initial surgical exploration is a very critical step in the early diagnosis and treatment of such rare conditions.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
authors.forename: Mohammed M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Al Barbarawi
authors.forename: Mohammed Z
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Allouh
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D009091:Mucormycosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents