J Korean Soc Plast Reconstr Surg.  2011 Jan;38(1):93-95.

Fatal Facial Mucormycosis on a Diabetic Patient: A Case Report

• Choi JH
• Kim YJ
• Kwon JE
• Kim H
• Nam SH
• Choi YW

Abstract

PURPOSE
Mucormycosis generally occurs in patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and immunocompromised conditions. It is rare, but once a patient is infected with it, it can occur as a rapidly extending, aggressive, and life-threatening rhinocerebral infection with a high mortality rate.
METHODS
A 70-year-old female patient had a 40 years of history of adult onset diabetes mellitus. She presented herself with severe right hemifacial pain, swelling, and weakness for 3 days and was admitted to ENT. On a facial computed tomography(CT) scan, it was found that her infection extended from her inferior temporal scalp to her submental area and involved her submandibular, masseter, prevertebral, parapharyngeal, retropharyngeal, and pharyngeal mucosal space and pansinusitis. Through endoscopic sinus surgery, mucormycosis was confirmed via histologic examination.
RESULTS
Despite empiric antibiotics and amphotericin B administration, the patient was in a septic condition and in a coma. The patient's family wanted to withdraw her life support, and the patient expired.
CONCLUSION
Mucormycosis is very rare, but is one of the disastrous complications of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. Suspicion of its occurrence, based on identified risk factors, and its rapid diagnosis can enhance the chance of its cure.

Keyword

Mucormycosis; Diabetes complication

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Amphotericin B
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Coma
Diabetes Complications
Diabetes Mellitus
Female
Humans
Mucormycosis
Risk Factors
Scalp
Amphotericin B
Anti-Bacterial Agents