Mucormycosis
Alternate Names : Zygomycosis
Symptoms & Signs
Symptoms of rhinocerebral mucormycosis include: - Acute sinusitis (sinus pain or congestion)
- Eye swelling and protrusion (proptosis)
- Dark nasal eschar (scabbing)
- Fever
- Redness of skin overlying sinuses
Symptoms of lung (pulmonary) mucormycosis include:
- Cough
- Coughing blood (occasionally)
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
Symptoms of gastrointestinal mucormycosis include: - Abdominal pain
- Vomiting blood
Symptoms of kidney (renal) mucormycosis include: Symptoms of skin (cutaneous) mucormycosis include a single, painful, hardened area of skin that may have a blackened center.
Diagnosis & Tests
Mucormycosis should be suspected if symptoms appear in individuals with immune disorders such as diabetes or those with weakened immune systems such as transplant recipients. Symptoms of rhinocerebral mucormycosis are most likely to occur among immunosuppressed people. Depending on where the symptoms are, CT scans or MRIs may be done. Evaluation by an ear-nose-throat specialist is recommended if sinus involvement is suspected. A tissue specimen must be taken and analyzed in order to make a definitive diagnosis of mucormycosis.
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