Successful treatment of a giant isolated cerebral mucormycotic (zygomycotic) abscess using endoscopic debridement: case report and therapeutic considerations

BackgroundCerebral mucormycosis without rhino-orbital or systemic involvement is an extremely rare condition mostly associated with parenteral drug abuse.Case descriptionWe report the case of a 42-year-old woman who presented with hemiparesis of the left side and altered mental status. Neuroradiologic workup demonstrated an inflammatory lesion involving the right basal ganglia. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy demonstrated features consistent with a pyogenic abscess. Computed tomography–guided stereotactic biopsy led to the diagnosis of cerebral mucormycosis. Parenteral AMB-L treatment was conducted, but the patient worsened clinically, presenting with a complete hemiplegia, and cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans demonstrated a voluminous abscess formation. Then, under stereotactic guidance, a surgical endoscopic debridement of the abscess cavity associated with the placement of an Ommaya reservoir was performed. Systemic and intralesional treatment with AmB associated with an adjunctive immune therapy was conducted. At 3-year follow-up, the patient had recovered partially from her left hemiplegia, allowing her to walk without help, and cerebral MRI scans showed complete resorption of the abscess.ConclusionOur good results suggest that surgical endoscopic debridement associated with intravenous and intracavitary antifungal therapy might be valuable in treating voluminous deep-seated mucormycotic lesions.