Successful Mandibular Mucormycosis Treatment in the Severely Neutropenic Patient.

PURPOSE: Mucormycosis is a rare opportunistic and aggressive deep fungal infection that predominantly affects immunocompromised patients, and its mortality rate has been reported as up to 80%. Typing of the infection is based mainly on clinical and anatomic presentations, with the most common being the rhinocerebral type.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This report presents 3 patients with cancer who had successful treatment of mandibular mucormycosis. Chemotherapy was administered 13 to 30 days before diagnosis of the infection, resulting in neutropenia in all patients. Each case is thoroughly presented from initial admission through its diagnosis and treatment sequence.

RESULTS

Early surgical ablative treatment and antifungal treatment resulted in the resolution of infection in all patients. Absolute neutrophil count increased 7 to 8 days after surgical debridement.

CONCLUSIONS

Bringing patients to the post-neutropenic state tremendously increases their odds for survival.