Rhinocerebral mucormycosis-a rare life threatening infection-case report of a diabetic patient at mzuzu Central hospital, malawi

Abstract

Background:
Rhin
o
cerebral m
ucormycosis is a life threatening
fungal infection usually acute and often fatal
. It is more
aggressive among diabetic
or im
munosuppressed patients.
It is a
rare condition which has never been reported in our setting.
This
case is reported in or
der to
create high index of suspicion
for
prompt intervention in
resource limited setting
.
Case presentation:
A case of a 45 years old
female diabetic
patient
with
nasal discharge, periorbital pain, facial oedema,
ptosis and a black escar involving the ent
ire nose.
A clinical
diagnosis of
r
hino
cerebral m
ucormycosis
was made at Mzuzu
Central Hospita in Malawi.
Conclusion:
Because of rap
id progression and high mo
rtality,
prompt recognition,
timely initiation of antifungal therapy
and
aggress
i
ve surgical inte
rvention are critical in reducing
morbidity and mortality
associated
with
the disease
.