Rapidly progressive fatal orbito-cerebral mucormycosis in an immunocompetent patient following entry of an insect into his eye; a case report and literature review

Abstract

Mucormycosis, an uncommon and rapidly progressive fungal infection, is mainly seen in immunocompromised patients. However, immunocompetent individuals can also be infected. Here, we present a rapidly progressive orbito-cerebral mucormycosis in an immunocompetent patient, who had a history of entry of an insect into his eye. We report an immunocompetent patient, who had a history of entry of an insect into his eye, presented with left eye panophthalmitis, cellulitis and loss of vision. He underwent orbital exenteration. Then, mucormycosis was diagnosed and amphotericin B was initiated. Left cavernous sinus and internal carotid artery involvement were found in brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) was diagnosed. Surgical debridement of necrotic tissue was performed, and postoperatively, our patient died following CVA. Mucormycosis, as a fatal fungal infection, requires early diagnosis, appropriate early surgical and rapid antifungal management so that successful outcome can be achieved.