Rhinocerebral mucormycosis in patients with burns: Case report and review of the literature

Mucormycosis is an opportunistic infection most commonly occurring in patie nts with impaired host defenses or diabetes mellitus. In patients with burn s the rhinocerebral form is rare, and mucormycotic infections more commonly involve the cutaneous burn wound. Both forms are associated with a high mo rtality rate that increases with delays in treatment. The initial managemen t of these types of infections includes vigorous glucose control, correctio n of acidosis, and the administration of systemic antifungal agents such as amphotericin B. The rhinocerebral form of mucormycosis is extremely virule nt and may warrant the use of interstitial and intraventricular antifungal therapy. Despite these measures, the mainstay of treatment for both forms o f mucormycosis is the extensive surgical debridement of all infected and ne crotic tissue.