Rhinocerebral mucormycosis in diabetic patient revealed by dental extraction

We report a case of subacute rhinocerebral mucormycosis revealing diabetes in a 51-year-old man. He was admitted after a dental extraction for a deep fascial space infection, complicated with cavernous sinus thrombosis. Despi te treatment with antibiotics, insulin and heparin, he developed thrombosis of the left internal carotid artery. After 7 weeks of treatment with antib iotics, a computed tomography of the face still showed an abscess of the le ft orbit. Cultures for bacteria and fungi remained sterile, but fungal hyph ae were found on a biopsy specimen that confirmed the diagnosis of mucormyc osis. The patient's state improved progressively with prolonged intravenous amphotericin B, 2 operations and anticoagulant.