Successful Right Orbital Exenteration for Mucormycosis in a Young Woman

Abstract

We report successful treatment of a 32-year-old woman with a history of acute lymphoblastic leukemia who presented with rhino-orbital mucormycosis and successfully underwent right orbital exenteration and treatment of her mucormycosis. Mucormycosis is a severe fungal infection that is often fatal in immunosuppressed patients. The mainstay of therapy is intravenous amphotericin B and surgical debridement of affected tissue. Methods. Treatment included intravenous antifungal agents, debridements with local drug delivery, hyperbaric oxygen, deferasirox, and right orbital exenteration. Results. Integration of numerous therapeutic modalities led to a successful outcome. The patient is alive and well more than 3 years later. Conclusions. Surgical excision is traditionally considered the only treatment for mucormycosis. This case is a reminder of the adjunctive forms of treatment.