Case Report of Rhino-Orbital Mucormycosis in a Diabetic, with Excellent Outcome

Abstract

Acute sinusitis secondary to virulent organisms can initially be subtle, or might be misdiagnosed as viral sinusitis. It is one of the most common diagnoses we face in clinical practice. Among all the variable etiologies, fungal sinusitis is the most obscure with devastating consequences. The purpose of this case report is to increase the awareness of health care professionals about invasive fungal sinusitis as an under-diagnosed disease, and emphasize that excellent outcome can be achieved by early employment of different therapeutic modalities. In this case report, we review an older adult male, with significant cardiac and diabetes history, who presented with acute rhino-orbital mucormycosis, and was successfully treated with prompt endoscopic surgical debridement, dual IV antifungals, local amphotericin B nasal washing, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. All of the above led to extremely favorable outcome for such an aggressive infection.