Eleven cases of mucormycosis with atypical clinical manifestations in diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE: We retrospectively investigated 11 cases of mucormycosis with atypical clinical features accompanied by diabetes mellitus and discussed clinical features, results of laboratory investigations and radiological examinations and treatment outcomes of each case.

METHODS: Eleven cases of mucormycosis presenting to our clinic between January 2002 and October 2006 were retrospectively investigated.

RESULTS: We will present a total of 11 cases of mucormycosis, including 2 cases of mucormycosis with orbital apex syndrome as an initial sign, 2 cases of mucormycosis involving the carotid artery and cavernous sinus with the resultant fatal stroke, 1 case of disseminated mucormycosis with atypical clinical manifestations. Mucormycosis was accompanied by type II diabetes mellitus in five cases, chronic renal failure and type II diabetes mellitus in four cases and type II diabetes mellitus and chronic myelocytic leukemia in two cases. None of them had diabetic ketoacidosis. Only one patient recovered but with sequels: blindness, complete ophthalmoplegia of the right eye. Ten patients died of mucormycosis.

CONCLUSION: In fact, mucormycosis is a fungal infection which may involve all organs and systems. Mucormycosis must be considered in patients presenting with orbital or preorbital sellulitis, even in the absence of ketoacidosis as in our cases.