Successful treatment of Rhizopus arrhizus rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis with isavuconazole salvage therapy following extensive debridement

Abstract

A 61-year old lady with poorly-controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus was diagnosed with rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis following presentation with sinusitis, ophthalmoplegia, proptosis and facial numbness. She was treated successfully with aggressive surgical intervention including orbital exenteration, accompanied by anti-fungal therapy with liposomal amphotericin B and posaconazole, followed by isavuconazole as salvage therapy. We discuss the challenges around optimising antifungal therapy of this lethal infection in the context of hepatic and renal toxicity.

Keywords

• Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis
• Diabetes mellitus
• Isavuconazole
• Rhizopus arrhizus