Fungal infections: mucormycosis: practice question

A Dermatology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dermatology · Fungal infections: mucormycosis

Sample item

A patient with uncontrolled diabetic ketoacidosis has facial pain, nasal black eschar and orbital swelling. Biopsy shows broad ribbon-like aseptate hyphae branching at right angles. What is the treatment of choice?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Liposomal amphotericin B with surgical debridement and glucose control

Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis is an angioinvasive infection by Mucorales that thrives in acidosis. Control of diabetes, urgent debridement and liposomal amphotericin B are essential.

Option by option

  • A. Fluconazole alone

    Fluconazole is inactive against Mucorales.

  • B. Oral griseofulvin

    Griseofulvin has no role in invasive mycosis.

  • C. Liposomal amphotericin B with surgical debridement and glucose control (correct)

    Correct. Surgery, glycaemic control and amphotericin B form the treatment.

  • D. Voriconazole alone

    Voriconazole lacks activity against Mucorales.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is C, Liposomal amphotericin B with surgical debridement and glucose control. Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis is an angioinvasive infection by Mucorales that thrives in acidosis.

Why is "Fluconazole alone" not the answer?

Fluconazole is inactive against Mucorales.

Why is "Oral griseofulvin" not the answer?

Griseofulvin has no role in invasive mycosis.

Why is "Voriconazole alone" not the answer?

Voriconazole lacks activity against Mucorales.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Fungal infections: mucormycosis in Dermatology. Control of diabetes, urgent debridement and liposomal amphotericin B are essential.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Fungal infections: mucormycosis?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.