Rhinocerebral mucormycosis: A deadly disease on the rise

According to WHO, there will be epidemic of diabetes world over and India is going to be ‘A diabetes capital of the world’ by 2025. With the increasing incidence of diabetes, the associated complications are also bound to increase. Rhinocerebral mucormycosis is one of them. Rhinocerebral Mucormycosis is an opportunistic, fulminating fungal infection, caused by Rhizopus species of order of mucorales, frequently seen in diabetic and immunocompromised patients. Mucormycosis has a very high mortality rate. Early diagnosis and treatment with Amphotericin-B is the key to combat this disease successfully. We have seen 13 cases in last 3 years (2002–2005) in our area. This incidence is significant, as this type of cases were rarely seen before 2002, in this geographical area. We present an account of these cases; treatment strategies adopted, review of literature, and highlight ‘the role of ENT surgeon in diagnosis and management of this dreadful disease’.