Author: Don Stader, M.D.

Educational Pearls

• Mucor/Rhizopus fungal infections usually present in diabetic or immunocompromised patients as a black, necrotic lesion on the face.
• The fungus invades the vasculature of the face, causing tissue ischemia and necrosis.
• The infection is more common in the diabetic population because the fungus prefers more acidic and glucose-rich environments.
• This is a surgical emergency since it is cured only with excision of the affected tissue

References: Vijayabala GS, Annigeri RG, Sudarshan R. Mucormycosis in a diabetic ketoacidosis patient. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. 2013;3(10):830-833. doi:10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60164-1.