Unusual presentation of mucormycosis mimicking a localised sino-orbital pathology

Abstract

Mucormycosis is an aggressive and deadly fungal infection, which is invariably associated with an immunocompromised patient. Mucormycosis in the head and neck region presents as skeletal necrosis, with or without soft tissue involvement. Early identification and treatment with combination of surgical debridement and parenteral antifungal therapy is critical for a favourable outcome. This paper reports an unusual presentation of mucormycosis, mimicking a localised sino-orbital pathology involving the infraorbital subcutaneous tissue and the maxillary sinus, in a 35 years old immunocompetent man. Despite aggressive antifungal therapy and surgical management, the course of disease was fatal, reiterating the high mortality associated with mucormycosis.