Abstract:
Mucormycosis, caused by saprophytic fungi of the order Mucorales of the class Zygomycetes,
is a rare opportunistic fungal infection, which has a rapidly progressive and fulminant course
with fatal outcome. These fungi are ubiquitous, found in soil, bread molds, decaying fruits and
vegetables. The most common form of mucormycosis is rhinocerebral and is usually seen in
uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or in immunocompromised patients. This fungus invades the
arteries, leading to thrombosis that subsequently causes necrosis of hard and soft tissues. We
report a case of palatal perforation by rhino-maxillary mucormycosis in an immunocompromised
patient. The aim of this article is to draw attention to the clinical presentation and pathogenesis
of mucormycosis and to emphasize the need for high degree of suspicion in its diagnosis
