Facial nerve palsy as infrequent presentation in patients with rhino-orbital–cerebral-mucormycosis: A case report of two cases

Abstract

Rhino-orbital-cerebral-mucormycosis (ROCM) is a rare aggressive and fatal infection. Its uncommon clinical encounter and mostly seen in immunocompromised patients, especially uncontrolled diabetic mellites patients. Symptoms of ROCM include nasal stuffiness and discharge, headache, retro-orbital pain, orbital or facial swelling, ophthalmoplegia, and visual loss. Although cranial nerve involvement is not common, palsy of the facial nerve is extremely rare finding. Two uncontrolled diabetic patients presented to our outpatient clinic with rapidly progressive sinusitis and unilateral facial nerve palsy in which further evaluation were proven to be mucormycosis. Facial nerve palsy in diabetic patient could be a red flag and must be investigated for underlying mucormycosis. An early diagnosis and treatment are very important for a favorable outcome in ROCM.