Title : Mucormycosis of maxilla: An Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons perspective
Abstract:
Introduction: Mucormycosis is a rare, rapidly progressive and a fulminant, life-threatening, opportunistic infection. Although it most commonly manifests in diabetic patients, its presence in other immunologically compromised patients cannot be ruled out. Its etiology is saprophytic fungal organisms, with rhizopus being the most common causative organism. Clinically the disease is marked by a partial loss of neurological function and a progressive necrosis due to the invasion of the organisms into the blood vessels causing a lack of blood supply.
Case presentation: A 65 year old male patient presented with a complaint of nasal regurgitation from right nose for the past 2 years. The past history was elicited and based on the clinical examination the case was diagnosed as mucormycosis of maxilla. The case was surgically managed through maxillectomy followed by primary closure. After 6 months the patient reported with oroantral fistula. Thereafter, the patient was subjected for functional endoscopic surgery followed by reconstruction using palatal finger flap.
Conclusion: This case report intensifies the importance of considering mucormycosis as a possible diagnosis in spontaneous necrotic soft tissue lesions of the face, especially in an immunocompromised patient.