Intestinal Obstruction - Uncommon Manifestation of Gastrointestinal Mucormycosis in a Paediatric Patient: A Case Report

Mucormycosis is a dreadful fungal infection commonly observed among immunocompromised individuals but has recently expanded to involve even the immunocompetent patients. It can affect any organ system, seldomly the gastrointestinal tract with incidence of 5-15%. Intestinal obstruction in case of gastrointestinal mucormycosis is an unusual manifestation of an infrequent involvement. A 5year-old boy presented with sudden altered consciousness, abdominal distension in shock, eventually diagnosed with acute intestinal obstruction and encephalopathy. Subsequent examination of the resected bowel via intestinal biopsy revealed the presence of fungal hyphae. Unfortunately, the patient passed away during the postoperative period. This report is an unusual presentation of gastrointestinal mucormycosis. Despite of its rare occurrence, the devastating nature of the disease yet simple treatment of mucormycosis demands its inclusion among differential diagnosis in such cases. A high clinical scepticism and increased awareness about various presentations of gastrointestinal mucormycosis can benefit in early recognition and prompt treatment.