Is mucormycosis the end? A comprehensive management of orbit in COVID associated rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis: preserving the salvageable.

BACKGROUND: Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucor mycosis (ROCM) is a relatively rare opportunistic infection caused by the Mucorales species. While ROCM suggests involvement of the paranasal sinuses, orbit and brain ROM (rhino-orbital-Mucormycosis) stands for the fungal invasion in sinuses and orbit sans cerebral involvement. In India with the outbreak of the second COVID wave and the delta variant of the virus, there has been a steep increase in this opportunistic fulminant fungal infection, named COVID-associated Mucor mycosis (CAM). The most critical question in orbital management is when to go ahead with an exenteration. Our study aims to design a pertinent minimal invasive surgical protocol for surgeons to manage such cases based on our surgical experience and mitigate the need for exenteration and save the eyes wherever possible. METHODS: The study is a retrospective analysis of patients of ROM with and without brain involvement, who underwent minimal surgical management between March 2021 to March 2022 along with their follow-up. RESULTS: There were 184 eyes of 148 patients diagnosed with CAM. The mean age was 51.7 years with a male predominance of 103 (70%). All patients developed ROM following the COVID-19 infection and the duration between diagnosis of COVID-19 and ROM was 36 ± 23 days. 18 cases (12%) were bilateral. 76 eyes (41%) had no vision at the presentation. Imaging revealed paranasal sinus involvement (100%), orbital apex involvement (61%), cavernous sinus involvement (53%), and central nervous system (CNS) involvement (47%). All the patients (100%) were treated with systemic Liposomal amphotericin-B and sinus debridement. Endoscopic debridement of the orbital disease was performed in 45 (30.4%) cases, 15(8.1%) eyes underwent exenteration and were later rehabilitated with a customized ocular prosthesis, 103 (56%) eyes underwent transcutaneous retrobulbar amphotericin-B. At a mean follow-up of 13.1 months; the complete resolution was seen in 25 (17%) cases, the residual stable lesion was seen in 77(52%) of the cases and new lesions were developed in 13(9%) of the cases. Mortality was seen in 33 (22%) patients and all of them had CNS involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic and protocol-based management can save the life and salvage the eyes.

Head-and-Neck Solid Tumors in Children: A Retrospective Review from a Tertiary Care Institute in North India.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to review the clinical profile, management, and outcome of solid tumors in the head-and-neck region in children at our institute. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed children with head-and-neck solid tumors who were treated jointly under the departments of Pediatric Surgery and Otorhinolaryngology at our institute between 2016 and 2019. RESULTS: In the study period, 10 children (6 males, 4 females) with a median age of 9.5 years (range 5 days-16 years) were treated by our unit. The patients had four tumors arising from the parotid, 2 from nose/naso-pharynx, 1 each from the tongue, submandibular gland, para-pharyngeal space, and infratemporal fossa. A majority (90%) of the patients underwent complete surgical excision of the tumor, preserving the loco-regional neurovascular structures to minimize postoperative morbidity. Malignant lesions were seen in 4 patients (2 rhabdomyosarcoma, 1 primitive neuro-ectodermal tumor, 1 mucoepidermoid carcinoma) and 6 patients had benign pathology (3 pleomorphic adenoma, 2 mature teratoma, 1 schwanomma). Additional therapy with chemotherapy and local radiotherapy was required in 3 out of 4 patients with malignant pathology. The median follow-up duration is 15 months. At last follow-up, all patients are alive and 9 out of 10 patients (90%) are disease-free. CONCLUSION: Our experience highlights rare and difficult tumors in the head-and-neck region in children. These tumors are not commonly managed by the pediatric surgeon in routine practice. The paper outlines the multi-modality management of these tumors, which is essential for an optimal outcome.

Revising the Indications of Transtemporal Surgical Approaches in the Modern Endoscopic Era of Skull Base Surgery: A Dying Art.

Objectives The aim of the study is to emphasize and explore the possible transtemporal approaches for spectrum of complicated lateral skull base pathologies. Design Retrospective analysis of complicated lateral skull base pathologies was managed in our institute between January 2017 and December 2019. Setting The study was conducted in a tertiary care referral center. Main Outcome Measures The study focused on the selection of approach based on site and extent of the pathology, the surgical nuances for each approach, and the associated complications. Results A total of 10 different pathologies of the lateral skull base were managed by different transtemporal approaches. The most common complication encountered was facial nerve palsy (43%, n = 6). Other complications included cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection (15%, n = 2), cosmetic deformity (24%, n = 4), petrous internal carotid artery injury (7%, n = 1), and hypoglossal nerve palsy (7%, n = 1). The cosmetic deformity included flap necrosis ( n = 2) and postoperative bony defects leading to contour defects of the scalp ( n = 2). Conclusion Surgical approach should be tailored based on the individual basis, to obtain adequate exposure and complete excision. Selection of appropriate surgical approach should also be based on the training and preference of the operating surgeon. Whenever necessary, combined surgical approaches facilitating full tumor exposure are recommended so that complete tumor excision is feasible. This requires a multidisciplinary team comprising neurosurgeons, neuro-otologist, neuroanesthetist, and plastic surgeons. The surgeon must know precise microsurgical anatomy to preserve the adjacent nerves and vessels, which is necessary for better surgical outcomes.

The Spectrum of Invasive Fungal Sinusitis in COVID-19 Patients: Experience from a Tertiary Care Referral Center in Northern India.

This study aimed to determine the patient demographics, risk factors, which include comorbidities, medications used to treat COVID-19, and presenting symptoms and signs, and the management outcome of COVID-19-associated invasive fungal sinusitis. A retrospective, propensity score-matched, comparative study was conducted at a tertiary care center, involving 124 patients with invasive fungal sinusitis admitted between April 2021 and September 2021, suffering from or having a history of COVID-19 infection. Among the 124 patients, 87 were male, and 37 were female. A total of 72.6% of patients received steroids, while 73.4% received antibiotics, and 55.6% received oxygen during COVID-19 management. The most common comorbidities were diabetes mellitus (83.9%) and hypertension (30.6%). A total of 92.2% had mucor, 16.9% had aspergillus, 12.9% had both, and one patient had hyalohyphomycosis on fungal smear and culture. The comparative study showed the significant role of serum ferritin, glycemic control, steroid use, and duration in COVID-19-associated invasive fungal disease (p < 0.001). Headache and facial pain (68, 54.8%) were the most common symptoms. The most involved sinonasal site was the maxillary sinus (90, 72.6%). The overall survival rate at the three-month follow-up was 79.9%. COVID-19-related aggressive inflammatory response, uncontrolled glycemic level, and rampant use of steroids are the most important predisposing factors in developing COVID-19-associated invasive fungal sinusitis.

Surgical Candidacy in Skull Base Paragangliomas: An Institutional Experience.

Objective The aim of the study is to determine the surgical candidacy and nuances of skull base paraganglioma surgery in the era of radiotherapy. Materials and Methods This was a retrospective observational study conducted in patients who presented with skull base paragangliomas between January 2017 and December 2019. Primary data, including indication for surgery, the approach used, the extent of resection, complications, and postoperative lower cranial nerve status were studied. Results A total of 21 cases of skull base paragangliomas were analyzed, including seven cases of tympanic paraganglioma, 10 cases of jugular foramen paraganglioma, three cases of multiple paragangliomas, and one case of vagal paraganglioma. Indications for surgery were young age, bleeding from ear, neck mass with upper aerodigestive pressure symptoms, lower cranial nerve paralysis, and patients with intracranial pressure symptoms. Total excision was done in 11 patients, near-total excision in five patients, subtotal in three patients, and surgery was not done in two patients. Facial nerve paralysis was the most common complication observed, followed by bleeding and flap necrosis. Radiotherapy was considered as adjuvant treatment wherever indicated. Conclusion A thorough knowledge and understanding of the pathophysiology of the skull base paragangliomas and its management strategies can help to achieve excellent results in terms of tumor clearance and reduction in complications. A multidisciplinary team approach and meticulous skull base surgical techniques have a significant role to play in the management of paragangliomas, especially in developing countries where availability of radiosurgery is still a challenge.

Role of Transarterial Angiography with Embolization in Deciding Surgical Approach to Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma: A Step-Ladder Approach.

Objective This study was aimed to understand the usefulness of transarterial angiography and embolization in management of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) and to apply the information obtained to stage the disease, select appropriate surgical approach, predict intraoperative bleeding, and prognosticate the disease. Study Design This study represents a retrospective review of the patients of JNA with major focus on transarterial angiography and embolization findings and its clinical and surgical implications. Setting The study conducted at a tertiary-care super-specialty referral center. Participants Forty-two patients who had undergone transarterial angiography and embolization followed by surgery over the period of 5 years from July 2015 till February 2019 were participated in this study. Main Outcome Measures Tumor vascular pattern based on transarterial angiography, staging of the disease based on extent and vascular supply, surgical approach selected, and prognosticating the disease were determined from this study. Conclusion Transarterial angiography with embolization becomes a prudent preoperative investigation for management of JNA. It provides a complete three-dimensional map of the tumor with stage-specific vascular pattern, reduces vascularity of the tumor, and predicts the sites from where bleeding can occur intra operatively. Thus, it helps in choosing the appropriate surgical approach aiding in complete tumor removal with minimal bleeding.

Management of Spontaneous CSF Rhinorrhea: An Institutional Experience.

Introduction Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea is the leakage of CSF through nasal cavity, due to abnormal communication between the arachnoid membrane and nasal mucosa. Middle-age (fourth to fifth decade) group, female gender, and obesity (body mass index > 40) are the most commonly reported risk-factors for this rare entity. In this study, we present our single center experience of spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea discussing important clinicoradiological aspects in preoperative evaluation and nuances in the endoscopic repair technique. Material and Methods A retrospective study conducted for 43 spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea patients admitted between Jan 2011 to Jan 2018 at our tertiary care center. All patients underwent endoscopic repair of the defect depending upon their site of leak. Results Mean age in our study was 36.7 ± 12.3 years (range: 9-62 years). Average BMI in males was found lower (28.7) as compared with females (32). Most common site of CSF leak was cribriform plate ( n = 32, 74.4%) and Planum was found to be the least common site ( n = 1, 2.3%) of CSF leak. Intraoperatively, 23 (53.5%) patients showed high-flow leak. Intrathecal injection of fluorescein dye was used to identify the site of CSF leakage in 15 cases (34.8%). The overall success rate of primary endoscopic repair in our study was 95.3%. Conclusion Spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea occurs secondary to elevated intracranial pressure, with a predilection for obese females in fourth to fifth decade. Individualized tailored surgical approach depending upon the site, size, and flow-variety of the defect forms the cornerstone of management.

Comparison of spinal accessory dysfunction following neck dissection with harmonic scalpel and electrocautery - A randomized study.

INTRODUCTION: Harmonic scalpel is being increasingly used in neck dissection as alternative to conventional electro-cautery for achieving haemostasis. Use of harmonic scalpel has been shown to significantly reduce intra operative blood loss and intra operative time in neck dissection. But how safe is it with regards to nerve injury (spinal accessory nerve and other nerves) during neck dissection. We intended to study the spinal accessory nerve injury during neck dissection by both harmonic scalpel and electro cautery technique and compared postoperative recovery of shoulder function after neck dissection. METHODS: 40 patients undergoing selective neck dissection for primary oral malignancy were enrolled in this study. The Harmonic scalpel (HS) group consisted of 20 patients, and the electo cautery technique (ET) group had 20 patients. The following variables were examined: shoulder pain by visual analog scoring and shoulder function by means of degree of abduction and graded was grade I-0-90°; grade II-90-135°; grade III-135-180°. They assessment was done at the time of discharge, 1month and 3month and six month after surgery. RESULTS: Though shoulder pain was almost similar at 1st week and 1month, however at 2nd and 6th month shoulder pain was found to be significantly lesser in harmonic scalpel group as compared to electro cautery. At 1week more no of patients had restricted shoulder mobility in HS as compared to EC group. But at 6months the shoulder function was found to be significantly better in HS group as compared to EC group (p value<0.05). CONCLUSION: Spinal accessory nerve function recovery after selective neck dissection is better in HS group as compared to the electro cautery group.