Abstract
Mucor is a mold existed in nature. Mucor infections of humans, even in immunocompomised hosts, are rare. Clinical manifestations of mucormycosis are nonspecific and diagnosis is based on microscopic examination and culture of biopst specimens. Serologic test or molecular methods of speciation are used only as research tools We investigated medical records especially for underlying diseases, clinical findings, treatment, prognosis of patients diagnosed with rhinocerebral mucormycosis retrospectively in Asan medical Center from 1996 till 2007. Thirteen patients of rhinocerebral mucormycosis were enrolled, 6 male, 7 female. The underlying diseases were diabetes mellitus in 8 patients, acute leukemia 2 patients, Kidney transplantation 2 cases, myelodysplastic syndrome I patient. Six patients complained of nasal symptoms including stuffy nose, rhinorhhea, 5 patients complained of ophthalmic symptoms such as decreased visual acuity, diplopia, ophthalmic pain and 2 patients hard palate ulcer. Treatments were surgical debridement and antifungal agents in 10 patients, surgical debridement in 2 patients, antifungal agent in one patient. The mortality was 23% (3/13; two patients with kidney transplantation, one patient with acute leukemia) In summary mucormycosis should be considered in uncontrolled DM, immunocompromised host. The combined modality of early surgical debridement and antifungal agents were used for better treatment of rhinocerebral mucormycosis.
