What is Rhinocerebral disease?
Rhinocerebral mucormycosis, also called zygomycosis, is a rare disease caused by filamentous fungi involving the nose, paranasal sinuses, and brain. It is an opportunistic pathogen commonly found in immunocompromised individuals.
Is Rhinocerebral mucormycosis curable?
To have a case of rhinocerebral mucormycosis with intracranial involvement cured by medical therapy alone is indeed rare and fascinating. Fortunately, in this case, the diagnosis was made early enough for treatment with amphotericin B lipid complex to be effective.
What causes Rhinocerebral mucormycosis?
The causative agent of the rhinocerebral mucormycosis is saprophytic fungi of the class Phycomycetes, order Mucorales, and the family Mucoraceae. These fungi include Mucor, Rhizopus, Absidia, Cunninghamella genera, and Apophysomyces elegans.
What are the symptoms of mucormycosis?
Some common Mucormycosis symptoms are:
- Fever.
- Cough.
- Headache.
- Nasal congestion.
- Pain in the sinus.
- Chest pain.
- Trouble in breathing.
- Sinus congestion.
How is Rhinocerebral mucormycosis treated?
Amphotericin B is the only reliable systemic antifungal agent approved for the treatment of mucormycosis, and the highest possible tissue levels should be achieved. Remember to assess for nephrotoxicity. Other systemic toxicities include fever, nausea and vomiting, phlebitis, anemia, and electrolyte abnormalities.
Is mucormycosis spread from person to person?
Transmission of mucormycosis It is not contagious and does not spread by contact of person to person. This fungus is found in the environment. Transmission occurs through inhalation, inoculation, or ingestion of spores from the environment.
Is surgery necessary for mucormycosis?
Surgical debridement is the key for patients afflicted with mucormycosis to have the best chance of controlling this infection. Other more radical options, such as hemipelvectomy or hemicorporectomy, can be considered to combat an ascending and potentially disseminating or uncontrolled infection.
Who can get mucormycosis after Covid?
Mucormycosis is not a contagious disease, it cannot be spread from one person to another. Mucormycosis mainly affects people who are immunocompromised, or patients already infected with other diseases.