A 55-year-old male patient, in Phu Tho, was hospitalized in a state of sinus and jaw pain, mild jaw stiffness, and was previously diagnosed with tetanus. However, thanks to timely detection of "atypical" signs, doctors determined that this was an invasive black fungus infection - a rare disease but with a very high risk of death if treatment is delayed.
According to information from the Central Tropical Diseases Hospital, patient N.V.C was transferred to the Emergency Department with symptoms of sinus and jaw pain accompanied by limited mouth opening. Previously, the patient was completely healthy, not suffering from common underlying diseases such as diabetes or immunodeficiency. At the front-line medical facility, the patient was diagnosed with surveillance of tetanus and treated in this direction, but the symptoms were not typical and the response to treatment was slow.
Upon admission, doctors found that the patient showed no signs of typical whole-body muscle stiffness of tetanus, but mainly prolonged sinus and jaw pain accompanied by mild jaw stiffness. Recognizing many inappropriate points, the team expanded the diagnosis and prescribed sinus CT scans.
According to MSc.BS Nguyen Kim Anh (National Hospital for Tropical Diseases), CT results showed that the sinus and jaw lesions were suspected of invasive fungal infection, accompanied by signs of bone erosion. The patient was diagnosed with invasive fungal infection of the sinus and jaw (mucormycosis) - a rare disease but progressing very quickly, threatening life.
The case was immediately consulted inter-specialty and prescribed emergency surgery to prevent fungus from spreading to the eye and brain. During surgery, doctors recorded many black fungus nests spreading widely in the mandibular sinus, but the bone damage was not serious. The entire fungal tissue and damaged mucosa were removed, and sinuses were opened to drain fluid and support post-operative treatment.
After surgery, the patient continued to receive specific intravenous antifungal treatment according to a long-term regimen, currently initial response is good but still needs close monitoring due to the risk of re-invasion.
Doctors warn that black fungus is common in people with underlying diseases but can also occur in healthy people. When there are symptoms such as prolonged sinus pain, jaw stiffness, swollen and painful facial area of unknown cause, patients need to see a doctor early to avoid missing the "golden time" for treatment.
