Diagnosis of the misdiagnosed: Mucormycosis depicting periodontitis

• Main Authors: Prasannasrinivas Deshpande, Karthikeya Patil, Mahima V Guledgud, N Mounika Prashanthi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2021-01-01
• Series: Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology
• Subjects: antifungal agents; mucormycosis; mycoses; periodontal diseases; zygomycosis
• Online Access: http://www.jisponline.com/article.asp?issn=0972-124X;year=2021;volume=25;issue=5;spage=443;epage=447;aulast=Deshpande

Oral cavity is habitat for plethora of micro-organism causing various diseases. The most common includes dental caries, periodontal diseases, etc. Dental practice may rarely encounter unusual and subtle symptoms with nonpathognomonic clinical signs of several fatal diseases which may pretend like a common oral disease. Hence, the knowledge and clinical acumen of diagnostician are necessary for the early diagnosis of such fatal infections to prevent untoward consequences. Mucormycosis is an angioinvasive necrotic fungal infection with a high morbidity and mortality rate. It commonly occurs in patients with debilitating diseases and immunocompromised individuals. Clinically, it manifests as rhino-orbito-cerebral, pulmonary, cutaneous, gastrointestinal, renal, and disseminated form. Disease affecting the facial region is a challenge as it often disseminates with orbital and cranial involvement at the time of diagnosis. This article presents a case of mucormycosis which mimicked as severe periodontitis in a patient leading to delay in the diagnosis and challenges during the treatment.