Isolated cerebral mucormycosis: Report of a case and review of the literature

Abstract

Isolated cerebral mucormycosis is a rare but life-threatening infection that generally occurs in patients with intravenous drug abuse or immune deficiency. We report a case of primary cerebral mucormycosis in a healthy adult. Whole body autopsy in this case revealed cerebral mucormycosis with prominent vascular pathology and hemorrhagic necrosis. No nasal sinus, orbital or other primary locus of fungus infection was discovered. Review of the previously reported 30 cases of isolated cerebral mucormycosis revealed associated systemic predisposition in 11 patients and history of intravenous drug abuse in 17 cases. In the remaining two cases, the diagnosis of fungal infection was made only after surgical exploration. Early tissue diagnosis and the consequent surgical excision of the necrotic tissue and aggressive antifungal therapy might salvage life in this fatal condition.