Rhinocerebral Mucormycosis in the diabetic: about a case and review of
literature

Yahyaoui. H*, El Mezouari. E*, Mouhib. H*, Baizri. H **, Rochdi. Y***,
Raji. A***, Moutaj. R*
Page No. 50-52

Introduction - Zygomycosis are invasive infections due to the proliferation of cosmopolitan
mushroom in tissues. Their evolution is rapid and fatal in immunocompromised patients. The
authors are reporting a recent case of rhinocerebral zygomycosis in a diabetic patient.Observation
- A 49 years old patient with type 2 diabetes evolving for 10 years in a state of ketoacidosis was
hospitalized in the ENT department of the University Hospital Mohammed VI for a foreign body to
the left ear. The patient had cellulitis of the entire parotid region, posterior parotid and left jugularcarotid
region; refractory to antibiotic treatment. A biopsy was sent to the Parasitology and
Mycology laboratory of Avicenna Military Hospital witch the mycological study showed wide
siphoned hyphae of zygomycosis. Culture has isolated a strain of Rhizopus oryzae confirming the
diagnosis suspected. Pathological exam showed necrotic tissue with inflammatory elements and
pathogens type filament, not septated, invading vessels and nerves. Despite treatment with
amphotericin B and surgical excision, the lesions spread to the orbital region and then to the brain,
leading eventually to death.Conclusion- Rhinocerebral mucormycosis is an aggressive fungal
infection particularly affecting unbalanced diabetic patients. Mycological diagnosis allows an early
treatment.
Keywords: diabetes, Rhizopus oryzae, mycological exam.