Abstract

Abstract Disclosure: A. Gordon: None. Background: Mucormycosis is an invasive opportunistic fungal infection, that although rare, has an estimated all-cause mortality of 54%. Even with aggressive treatment, significant tissue necrosis and bone destruction can occur. Risk factors include diabetes, acidosis (as in diabetic ketoacidosis), excess iron, transplant, malignancy, kidney and liver disease, immunosuppressant and corticosteroid use - and in more recent times, the Covid-19 infection. We present a case of invasive rhino-orbital cerebral mucormycosis in the setting of DKA, uncontrolled diabetes and Covid-19. Case: A 60-year-old female with history of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes (HbA1c 14.3%) presented after being found unresponsive. Her exam was significant for encephalopathy, complete left eye ophthalmoplegia and right-sided hemiparesis. She was hemodynamically stable without fever. Initial labs showed significant hyperglycemia with an elevated anion gap and beta-hydroxybutyrate indicative of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). She had a lumbar puncture which showed leukocytosis with neutrophilia (146 WBC, 39% neutrophils), elevated glucose and normal protein; CSF culture was negative for growth. She also tested positive for Covid-19 although CXR was unremarkable and she did not require treatment. Initial CT/CTA head/neck showed complete occlusion of the left cervical internal carotid artery with associated acute/subacute infarcts in the left frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobes. CT sinuses showed severe frontal, maxillary and ethmoid sinus mucosal wall thickening with left premaxillary soft tissue swelling and leftward nasal septum deviation. Finally, orbital imaging showed left cavernous sinus thrombosis, left superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis, and necrosis vs devascularization of the extraocular muscles. She was initially treated with fluids, an insulin infusion and broad-spectrum antibiotics and was evaluated by neurology, ophthalmology, infectious disease and otolaryngology. She underwent surgical debridement with left maxillary antrostomy, left total ethmoidectomies and septoplasty. Sinus cultures were positive for MSSA (methicillin sensitive staph aureus) and tissue pathology showed angioinvasive fungal disease compatible with Mucor/Rhizomucor species. Antimicrobial coverage was changed to intravenous Nafcillin and Amphotericin B, and she underwent further surgical debridement twice more. Repeat brain imaging to evaluate for disease progression is pending. Discussion: Early detection and aggressive treatment of Mucormycosis with surgical debridement and Amphotericin B can improve patient outcomes, however the mortality rate is still significant. Therefore, tight glycemic control in high risk groups is imperative, particularly in those with uncontrolled diabetes complicated by DKA and Covid-19 infection (with or without steroid treatment). Presentation: Saturday, June 17, 2023

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