Rhino-orbital mucormycosis in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and neutropenia

PURPOSE: To present a case of rhino orbital mucormycosis in a patient with AIDS and neutropenia managed without exenteration, METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 60-year-old African-American man with AIDS developed neutropenia that was probably secondary to antiretroviral th erapy. He developed right rhino orbital mucormycosis and was treated with r ight partial ethmoidectomy with debridement and liposomal amphotericin B. T he infection was cured without need for orbital exenteration, although visu al acuity in his right eye ultimately was no light perception. CONCLUSION: Rhino-orbital mucormycosis is uncommon in patients with AIDS. W hen rhino orbital mucormycosis occurs, patients require a careful search fo r an underlying metabolic derangement such as neutropenia, Treatment should be aggressive, but these patients may not require orbital exenteration, (A m J Ophthalmol 2001;132:111-112. (C) 2001 by Elsevier Science Inc. All righ ts reserved.).