ABSTRACT
Purpose: An unprecedented surge has been noted in rhino?orbital?Cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) in times of current COVID?19 pandemic. The present prospective study aims to evaluate clinico?epidemiological profile, risk factors, management, and outcome of the cases of ROCM that presented to our tertiary care center during the study period from April to June 2021. Methods: All patients were subjected to complete history taking, ophthalmological examination, and imaging studies. The patients were staged and were treated with intravenous liposomal amphotericin B (AMB) and sino?nasal debridement of local necrotic tissue. Transcutaneous retrobulbar AMB (TRAMB), orbital decompression, and exenteration were instituted as indicated. All patients were followed up for a minimum of 6 months before arriving at the final outcome. Statistical analysis was performed. Results: A total of 49 patients presented during the study period, with a mean age of 42.2 years. The major risk factors included uncontrolled diabetes (89.8%), COVID?19 positivity (51.02%), and concurrent steroid use (38.77%). The most common presenting symptom was facial pain/swelling (43.65%), while the most common presenting sign was deterioration in vision (75.51%). Intravenous liposomal AMB was given to all patients along with sino?nasal debridement (85.71%), TRAMB (57.14%), orbital decompression (14.28%), and exenteration (12.24%). Overall, mortality at 6 months was 22.45% (11 patients). Age more than 60 years, intracranial extension, and HbA1c of more than 8.0% were observed to be statistically significant indicators of mortality. Conclusion: Early suspicion and timely diagnosis of mucormycosis at rhino?orbital stage is warranted in order to salvage life as well as visual function. TRAMB may prove as potentially favorable treatment modality in cases with limited orbital involvement.
ABSTRACT
Central serous chorioretinopathy [CSC] is characterized by serous retinal detachment at the posterior pole. Several factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis, and endogenous or exogenous corticosteroids are thought to play a major role. Here we present a case of a 35-year-old male with complaints of a dark circle in front of his right eye. Fundus examination, optical coherence tomography and fundus fluorescein angiography were performed. The patient was diagnosed with CSC. CSC resolved completely within seven weeks. Four weeks later the CSC recurred and spontaneously resolved over eight weeks. Overall, the patient had three additional recurrences of CSC in the same eye over the next year. A detailed history taking revealed the patient was using 0.1% dexamethasone eye drops nasally for recurrent rhinitis for few days prior to each episode of CSC. This indicates the strong correlation between steroids given by any route and the pathogenesis of CSC