Management of Rhino-cerebral mucormycosis followed by rehabilitation

Abstract

Mucormycosis is an opportunistic fulminant fungal infection, which mainly infects immunocompromised patients. The recent emergence of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) disease had been associated with reports of fungal infections such as aspergillosis and mucormycosis especially among critically ill patients treated with steroids. The recent surge in cases of COVID-19 in India during the second wave of the pandemic had been associated with increased reporting of invasive mucormycosis. In this era of the pandemic, patients with diabetes mellitus are at an increased risk of secondary infections and systemic complications. We report a case of maxillary necrosis by mucormycosis in an uncontrolled diabetic patient to emphasize early diagnosis of this potentially fatal fungal infection. We briefly discuss different disease and review the current concepts in management of mucormycosis. Early diagnosis, administration of systemic antifungals and aggressive surgical debridement followed by rehabilitation with maxillofacial prosthesis can reduce the mortality of this lethal fungal infection.