Radiological findings of mucormycosis rhinosinusitis among Indian COVID-19 patients during the pandemic second wave

Background: Sinonasal mucormycosis is a quickly progressing and lethal fungal disease which showed an increased incidence in COVID-19 patients in the Indian population during the second wave of the pandemic. The objective of this study was to study the various sinus areas affected and the imaging findings of the disease. Method(s): The imaging records of patients with sinonasal mucormycosis during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic were reviewed and analysed for whom computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images had been performed. Result(s): Of the 65 patients, 6.1% had single sinus involvement, and 93.9% had multiple sinus involvement, and out of latter, 91.8% had bilateral sinuses affected by the disease process. A total of 49.2% patients with sinus involvement had erosions of the sinus walls. A total of 35.4% patients had only sinonasal mucormycosis, 38.5% patients had rhino-orbital mucormycosis, 4.6% patients had rhino-cerebral mucormycosis and 16.9% patients had rhino-orbitocerebral mucormycosis. The pterygopalatine fossa was affected in 26.2% patients. A total of 9.2% patients had cavernous sinus thrombosis. A total of 12% of the cases had infarction in the cerebral hemispheres. Conclusion(s): In a setting of sinonasal mucormycosis, especially in the immuno-compromised and with those infected with COVID-19, cross-sectional imaging can assess the presence and extent of the disease and helps plan its medical and surgical management.Copyright © 2023, The Author(s).

[Clinical case of mucormycosis in patient COVID-19. Case report].

The COVID-19 epidemic is being revealed from a new angle every month. In particular, with the appearance of the delta strain, mucormycosis began to manifest in some patients, which had previously been extremely rare. Mucormycosis is a rare, aggressive infection caused by filamentous fungi of the Mucorales family and associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. The main risk factors for the mucormycosis in patients with COVID-19 are diabetes mellitus and diabetic ketoacidosis, uncontrolled hyperglycemia and massive use of glucocorticoids, vascular damage, thrombosis, lymphopenia, which often occur against the background of COVID-19 and make a person vulnerable to secondary or opportunistic fungal infection. We present a clinical case of mucormycosis in a 21-year-old female patient with COVID-19-associated severe pneumonia and concomitant type I diabetes mellitus. The patient was hospitalized and received standard therapy during inpatient treatment, including glucocorticosteroids in accordance with the severity of the course of COVID-19. On the 12th day from the hospitalization, the patient's condition deteriorated significantly, and the visible changes in the skin and soft tissues of the face, characteristic of mucormycosis appeared. Despite the drug therapy correction, the patient died because of the acute respiratory failure in combination with septic fungal damage of the brain stem.

COVID-associated rhinocerebral mucormycosis: a retrospective analysis of presentation and outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To comprehensively analyse the disease presentation and mortality of COVID-associated rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the demographics, clinical and radiographic findings was performed. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the survival of patients with mucormycosis from hypothesised predictors. RESULTS: A total of 202 patients were included in this study. Statistical significance was demonstrated in the predilection to the male gender, recent history of SARS-COV-2, history of use of corticosteroid and hyperglycemia in this cohort of CAM. The mortality rate was 18.31%. Advanced age, raised HbA1c and intra-orbital extension were found to be predictors adversely affecting survival. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis, aggressive surgical therapy, early and appropriate medical therapy can help improve outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4.

Accidental finding of COVID-associated mucormycosis (CAM) in a patient presenting as toothache: A case report and review of literature.

Mucormycosis is an angio-invasive rapidly progressing fungal infection, usually reported in immunocompromised individuals. We present a case of COVID-associated mucormycosis in a patient with a presenting symptom of toothache in the maxilla with a possible mild case of COVID-19. Abstract: Coronavirus-associated mucormycosis (CAM) had reached epidemic status, especially during the second wave of COVID-19. It was especially prevalent in India with a large mortality rate. Mucormycosis, particularly the rhinocerebral type is seen to be greatly associated with COVID-19, especially in patients with altered immunity. Uncontrolled diabetes, chronic kidney disease, immunocompromised patients, malignant hematological diseases, etc. are the major risk factors of CAM, precipitated by the injudicious use of corticosteroids for the treatment of COVID-19. CAM may often present in the maxillofacial region which warrants that dental clinicians be aware of the clinical presentation, diagnostic guidelines, and appropriate management measures for the disease. This report is one such case of CAM involving the posterior maxilla in a middle-aged individual with mild COVID-19 symptoms.

Are Low Serum Vitamin D Levels a Risk Factor for Advent of COVID-19 Associated Rhinocerebral Mucormycosis: A Preliminary Case Control Study.

To determine whether low serum vitamin D level is a risk factor for development of Rhinocerebral mucormycosis in COVID-19 afflicted patients. A case control study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital utilizing the archived records of COVID-19 afflicted Rhinocerebral mucormycosis cases and age and gender matched controls. The mean value (± standard deviation) of vitamin D level in patients with Mucormycosis was 19.65 ± 13.07 ng/ml and in control subjects it was 27.88 ± 18.04 ng/ml.There was a significant difference between groups (p = 0.02). Thus, low Vitamin D level may be implicated as a risk factor for the advent of mucormycosis in a COVID-19 afflicted patient and therefore Vitamin D supplements may be provided to such patients to achieve normal serum levels.

Gracin's Syndrome, a Rare Clinical Challenge in the Setting of Invasive Mucormycosis: A Systematic Review.

Garcin's Syndrome is a rare pathology involving multiple cranial nerves in the setting of invasive mucormycosis, usually in immunocompromised patients. Owing to its extremely high mortality rate, clinician should have a high suspicion for diagnosis. This article presents a rare case of Rhino-Orbito-Cerebral Mucormycosis with Garcin's syndrome in a 33-years old male along with a discussion of previously reported cases. The case is discussed in light of scant contemporary literature on the cited subject. A thorough search using the keywords Garcin's Syndrome, Invasive Mucormycosis, Rhino-orbital, Rhino-cerebral mucormycosis, was conducted on Pubmed/MEDLINE, Google scholar, LILACS, medRxiv and Google. A total of six reported cases found in international literature published between 2000 and 2020 were reviewed and analyzed. Garcin's Syndrome is associated with a high mortality rate. In our review, of the total seven patients, only three survived, bringing the collective mortality to 42.85%. Patients had multiple cranial nerve involvement leading to long term sequelae. Our case showed the unique finding of VIII nerve involvement. Early intervention helped in patient survival and better functional outcome. This literature review highlights the distinct clinical nature of the presentation of disease and the importance of prompt diagnosis and early management in the reversal of complications in an otherwise potentially fatal disease.

Imaging Features of COVID-19-Associated Acute Invasive Fungal Rhinosinusitis

Background Acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFR) is a rare, rapidly progressive, and life-threatening infection involving the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Purpose of this study is to describe imaging features of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)-associated AIFR.Methods This was a retrospective observational study. Inclusion criteria: (1) post-COVID-19 patients with fungal rhinosinusitis detected on potassium hydroxide smear or histopathology;(2) onset of symptoms (facial pain, dental pain, facial swelling or discoloration, nasal bleed, periorbital swelling, ptosis, redness of eyes, vision loss) less than 4 weeks;and (3) magnetic resonance imaging/computed tomography (MRI/CT) done within 5 days before surgery. Exclusion criteria: (1) cases of sinusitis without a history of previous COVID-19 infection;and (2) cases in whom fungal hyphae were not demonstrated on pathological examination. Noncontrast CT and dedicated MRI sequences were done initially. Site of involvement, unilateral/bilateral involvement, pattern of mucosal thickening, enhancement pattern, periantral invasion, orbital invasion, intracranial involvement, perineural spread, vascular involvement, and bony involvement were recorded. CT and MRI imaging features were compared.Results Analysis of 90 studies (CT and MRI) in 60 patients was done. Most common site of involvement was ethmoid followed by maxillary sinus. Bilateral disease was more common. Mucosal thickening with T2 hypointense septations was seen in 88.4% MRI studies. Periantral and orbital involvement was seen, respectively, in 84.6% and 55.7% cases of MRI. Intracranial involvement was noted in form of meningitis, cerebritis, abscess, infarct, hemorrhage, cavernous sinus, or perineural invasion. Vascular involvement was noted in form of vascular occlusion ( n = 3), vascular narrowing ( n = 3), and pseudoaneurysm ( n = 2). MRI was more sensitive in detecting periantral invasion, deep infratemporal fossa, cavernous sinus involvement, perineural invasion, optic nerve involvement, and vascular occlusion and narrowing, while CT was superior in identification of bony erosions.Conclusion Early recognition of AIFR in post-COVID-19 patients is important to prevent disease-related morbidity/mortality. Several rarely described findings are noted in our series of AIFR, like optic nerve involvement, pituitary fungal abscess, perineural spread, fungal aneurysms, and arteritis-related posterior circulation infarcts. MRI is superior for early detection of disease and in estimation of extent of disease, compared with CT. Imaging can help in early detection of AIFR, which has a significant impact on patient outcome.

Rhino-Orbital Cerebral Mucormycosis in a Non-diabetic Patient Following COVID-19 Infection: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Rhino-orbital cerebral mucormycosis has been commonly seen during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Several factors responsible for etiology and pathophysiology have been identified, among which corticosteroids and diabetes have contributed to the lion's share of the outbreak of mucormycosis. In this report, we discuss a case of a 41-year-old non-diabetic male with a recent convalescence from COVID-19 infection presented with gradual vision loss and loss of sensations in his right eye. He was found to have periorbital swelling, restriction of extraocular movements in all gazes, chemosis, ptosis of the right eye, and right maxillary sinus tenderness. His serum investigations, radiologic findings, and blood culture were indicative of rhino-orbital cerebral mucormycosis. He was started on systemic liposomal amphotericin B immediately and underwent aggressive surgical debridement. A high index of clinical suspicion, aggressive multifaceted management, and follow-up are needed to have successful outcomes, thereby lowering the morbidity of coronavirus-associated mucormycosis.

Simplified screening and referral protocol for sinonasal mucormycosis in post COVID-19 patients.

Background: To study incidence of sinonasal mucormycosis in active and post COVID-19 patients in a district-level hospital in India and develop a simplified screening and referral protocol for use at peripheral centres to aid rapid diagnosis/treatment. Methods: Study design: A prospective, interventional cohort study conducted from April 2021 to January 2022. Setting: Secondary level hospital in North India. Inclusion criteria: COVID-19 positive patients with diabetes mellitus as co-morbidity and with at least one of the following: received steroid therapy and/or on high flow oxygen therapy and/or had prolonged hospital stay (> 7 days). Exclusion criteria: Patients already immunocompromised/having malignancy/organ transplant recipients. Clinical workup: History, examination, imaging (CECT/MRI nose and paranasal sinuses if indicated), diagnostic nasal endoscopy + Nasal scrapings for KOH mount to detect fungal elements. STROBE guidelines were followed in the study. Results: Fourteen out of 250 patients tested positive for mucormycosis (incidence 5.6%). Thirteen were symptomatic, one patient was asymptomatic and detected on screening. No significant difference was found in mucormycosis versus non-mucormycosis group with respect to HbA1c status, vaccination status or steroid + oxygen treatment (p > 0.05 in all scenarios). Patients were treated with intravenous liposomal amphotericin B and surgical debridement when indicated. Two succumbed to disease (survival 85.7%). A clinical screening protocol was thus developed which can be used as an effective tool even at far-flung and remote healthcare facilities for diagnosis and timely referral of patients. Conclusions: Mucormycosis is a potentially lethal disease which needs rapid diagnosis and timely action to decrease morbidity and mortality.

Diagnosis of rhinocerebral mucormycosis as complication of COVID-19, features of patient's treatment

Mucormycosis in patients after coronavirus pneumonia has become increasingly common. It is known that this disease has predominantly rhinocerebral form, is characterized by aggressiveness, rapid spread of the process to the brain tissue, and high mortality rate. Nevertheless, this pathology is insufficiently studied and described in the current scientific literature. Diagnosis of rhinocerebral mucormycosis is made at late stages, and serious complications cannot be avoided, and sometimes even save the patient. The aim was to study the possibilities of early diagnosis and prevention of rhinocerebral mucormycosis as a complication of COVID-19 and to consider the peculiarities of treatment of patients. Materials and methods. The article presents the examination and treatment data of 7 patients with rhinocerebral mucormycosis after coronavirus pneumonia. Radiation methods included orthopantomography, multispiral computed tomography (MSCT), magnetic resonance imaging. The diagnosis of mucormycosis was confirmed by pathohistological examination. The treatment of the patients was complex. Surgical methods included removal of foci of soft and bone tissue lesions. In the postoperative period we performed dynamic observation, daily dressings. As conservative treatment systemic antifungal therapy (amphotericin B and posaconazole), symptomatic treatment were used. Results. As a result of clinical, radiological, histological, laboratory investigation the picture of rhinocerebral mucormycosis after coronavirus pneumonia at different stages of the disease was described in detail and the results of treatment were estimated. Conclusion. Early diagnosis of rhinocerebral mucormycosis is based on the detection of symptoms of maxillary sinusitis developed after coronavirus pneumonia. Risk factors may include type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular pathology, and prior long-term therapy with high-dose glucocorticosteroids. MSCT should be considered as a method of choice for early diagnosis of the disease, to determine the extent of the process. Histological examination of biopsy and surgical material can be used for diagnosis. Treatment of patients should be comprehensive and include early radical surgical removal of the affected tissues against the background of systemic antimycotic therapy. Timely diagnosis of the disease and comprehensive treatment can reduce mortality and increase the life expectancy of patients. © 2022 Clinical Dentistry LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Post maxillectomy rehabilitation and amelioration of quality of life of post-COVID rhinocerebral mucormycosis patients using obturator: A case series.

Mucormycosis, a rare fungal infection seen in diabetes, is now very frequent owing to the deadly triad of COVID-19 infection, diabetes, and rampant use of corticosteroids. Early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the mortality and morbidity of this lethal fungal infection. Treatment principles may include antifungal agents along with surgical debridement or resection. The surgically removed palate can have a devastating effect on the appearance and speech of the patient. Obturators allow patients to eat and drink without any suspicion of food entering the oroantral cavities/pharynx during mastication. This case series presented the prosthodontic rehabilitation of nine post-COVID rhinocerebral mucormycosis-infected patients with complete or partial defects.

Acute Fulminant Rhinocerebral Mucormycosis: A Case Report with Review of Management

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis is an uncommon, rapidly advancing, catastrophic, opportunistic fungal infection that predominantly affects metabolic and/or immunologically challenged individuals. Its frequency has increased dramatically since the SARS-COV-19 epidemic. The disease has been described as having distinct clinical categories, namely: rhinocerebral, pulmonary, cutaneous, gastrointestinal and disseminated. Extranasal dissemination has been invariably linked with an increased risk of death. Though an aggressive disease with a substantial rate of mortality, seeking timely help, prompt investigations and diagnosis, treatment with higher antibiotics, oral or intravenous antifungals, rigorous surgical excision, and control of underlying comorbidities has resulted in effective disease management and control with a gratifying outcome and lower morbidity when compared to the pre COVID era. We present a case of sinonasal mucormycosis with ocular, oral, pulmonary, and intracranial involvement in a young post COVID-19 immunocompromised male patient who was optimally treated with a comprehensive endoscopic surgical approach and combined with oral and systemic liposomal amphotericin B therapy. © 2023 Personal non-commercial use only EJENTAS. All rights reserved.

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis (RCM): To study the clinical spectrum and outcome of 61 cases of RCM managed at a tertiary care center in India.

Background: Mucormycosis is a life-threatening infection of the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavities that can easily spread to the orbit and the brain. It is caused by fungi of the family Mucoraceae. We present a case series of 61 patients diagnosed and treated for rhinocerebral mucormycosis (RCM) at a single tertiary health care center. Methods: After obtaining ethical clearance, all patient files with a final diagnosis of RCM were thoroughly analyzed in departmental records and a master chart was prepared. The study evaluated the etiology, clinical spectrum, diagnosis, management, complications, and outcome at 3 months of RCM cases. Results: About 93.4% of the RCM cases were diabetic and an equal number had a past history of COVID infection. About 85.2% had received steroids for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 infection. The most common presentation of RCM was temporal lobe abscess (25.7%) followed by frontal lobe abscess (16.6%). At 3 months post-diagnosis, mortality in our study was 42.6%. About 26.2 % of the RCM cases had no disease, 23% had a static disease, and 8.2% had progressive disease at the end of 3 months. Conclusion: We report the largest single-center case series of RCM, comprising 61 patients. This case series underscores the importance of the early diagnosis and prompt treatment for a better prognosis for this dreadful disease. The three pillars of treatment for RCM cases include reversal of the immunosuppressive state, administration of antifungal drugs, and extensive surgical debridement. In spite of all this, mortality remains high.

Rhino-orbito-cerebral invasive fungal sinusitis associated with COVID-19 infection in a malnurished child

Background: Corona virus disease has been associated with a wide variety of fungal and bacterial co-infections. These secondary infections could be due to the irrational use of antibiotics, immunosuppressive therapy, pre-existing co morbidities, and immune modulator effects of the virus. But here, we report a very rare occurring of rhino-orbito-cerebral invasive fungal sinusitis in a malnourished child and no other co morbidities. Case presentation: This is a case of a 6-year-old boy with severe thinness and no other co-morbidities, with mild COVID-19 infection, during the course of illness developed rhino-orbito-cerebral invasive fungal sinusitis. The child's mother had COVID-19 1 week prior to child's illness. The child then developed fever followed by headache. The child reported to hospital on seventh day of illness and RTPCR for COVID-19, turned positive. The child's vitals were stable and maintaining saturation. Child was being treated with supplements and symptomatic treatment for fever. On his second day of stay at hospital, he started to develop gradually progressive left-sided peri-orbital swelling. Due to the association of COVID-19 with fungal infection, child was started on AMPHOTERICIN-B and given for 4 days and referred to a higher center for further management. Radiological imaging was suggestive of rhino-sinusitis with orbital cellulitis with meningeal enhancement suggestive of fungal etiology. Debridement was done, child was adequately treated with anti-fungal, and the child showed significant improvement along with radiological clearing. Conclusion: Invasive fungal infection can occur in association with COVID-19 among malnourished pediatric age groups with no other comorbidities.

Emergence of Cerebral Mucormycosis in the Post-COVID Period: A Detailed Analysis of Risk Factors, Clinical Progression, and Management of This Opportunistic Fungal Infection.

BACKGROUND: An epidemic of Mucorales was reported following the second wave of COVID-19 in India, and intracranial extension of the same was one of the most dreadful complications. METHODS: A total of 62 patients with cerebral mucormycosis were recruited and followed up till 12 weeks to evaluate the risk factors, incidence, clinical manifestations, management, and prognosis of cerebral mucormycosis. FINDINGS: A median age of 51.5 years with male predominance (74%) was noted. The majority of subjects reported a history of COVID infection (93.5%) and diabetes mellitus (83.87%). The first symptom of mucormycosis appeared after a mean period of 17.63 ± 8.9 days following COVID. Facial swelling and ptosis were the most common symptoms. Only 55% of patients had neurological presentations, and hemiparesis was the most common neurological sign (30.6%). Radiologically, the involvement of maxillary sinus (90.32%) and ethmoid sinus (87.10%) was commonly noted. Cerebral findings included temporal lobe (50%) and parietal lobe (30.06%) involvement, cavernous sinus thrombosis (30.06%), and internal carotid artery thrombosis (22.58%). Acute cerebral infarction was notable in 37% of subjects (p-value=0.0015, significant association with the outcome). Conventional and liposomal amphotericin B were used in 91.94% and 53.23% of patients, respectively. Retrobulbar amphotericin injections used in 11.3% of subjects significantly affected the outcome (p-value=0.03, significant). Posaconazole step-down therapy was used in 72.5% of subjects (p-value=0.0005, significant). Surgical interventions were performed in 53 (85.48%) subjects (p-value=0.004, significant). Functional endoscopic sinus surgery was the most common (in 64.52% of subjects), followed by maxillectomy (20.97% of subjects) and craniotomy (17.7% of subjects). At the end of 12 weeks, 33.87% of patients died and 59.68% were alive; the rest (6.45%) were lost to follow-up. INTERPRETATION: The absence or late presentation of neurological symptoms led to a delayed diagnosis of cerebral mucormycosis. The presence of acute cerebral infarction indicated a worse prognosis. However, there was a significant influence of step-down posaconazole therapy, retrobulbar amphotericin injections, and surgical intervention on the prognosis of cerebral mucormycosis.

Imaging Features of Rhino-Orbito-Cerebral Mucormycosis in Postcovid-19 Patients

Background: An alarmingly rising number of instances of rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis, a lethal invasive fungal illness, have been seen among the covid-19 survivors during the second wave in India. This disease is often found in immunocompromised individuals and in those with uncontrolled diabetes. Though the cause is said to be multifactorial the important cause is said to be the use of steroids by the patients without adequate medical supervision. The aim is to using data from 19 individuals with rhinocerebral mucormycosis, consistent radiographic characteristics were identified that might aid in the early identification of this condition. Material(s) and Method(s): A six-month, cross-sectional research carried out at the MGM Hospital in Warangal from May 2021 to October 2021. The 1.5 tesla GE MR SIGNA MRI machine and GE BRIGHTSPEED 16 slice CT unit were used to examine all patients suspected of having acute invasive fungal sinusitis who were either covid-19 positive or had recovered from covid-19 infection. Contrast study is done whenever indicated. Result(s): A total of 81 patients were imaged. On CT scans 23 patients (28.4%) had hyperdense lesions, 36 patients (44.4%) had hypodense lesions and 22 patients(27%) had isodense lesions. On MRI 56 patients (69%)had hyperintense signal and 25 patients (31%) had hypointense signal on T2-Weighted images. Conclusion(s): Mucormycosis is fatal invasive fungal disease which has the propensity to invade the periantral regions, pterygopalatine and sphenopalatine regions, orbits, skull base and in some cases causing fungal abscess in the brain. Imaging is essential for early diagnosis and prompt treatment, which significantly lowers morbidity and death. Copyright © 2022 Necati Ozpinar. All right reserved.

Infections in people with diabetes

People with diabetes mellitus have an increased risk of many common infections, such as urinary tract infections, lower respiratory tract infections and skin/soft tissue infections. This is caused by a combination of systemic and local host factors, and also specific organism characteristics. Individuals with diabetes mellitus also tend to acquire more complex infections, such as emphysematous cholecystitis and emphysematous pyelonephritis. Some conditions, such as malignant otitis externa and rhinocerebral mucormycosis, occur almost exclusively in people with diabetes. Despite greater susceptibility to infections and worse outcomes, there is little guidance regarding prevention and treatment measures for infections in those with diabetes. Comprehensive longitudinal studies are needed to further investigate the complex relationship between glycaemic control and infections. Copyright © 2022

Post COVID-19 rhinocerebral mucormycosis: a case report and literature review.

The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) still remains on an upsurge trend. The second and the waves of this disease have led to panic in many countries, and some parts of the world suffering from the fourth wave. In the midst of this pandemic, COVID-19 patients are acquiring secondary infections such as mucormycosis also known as "black fungus disease". Mucormycosis is a serious, but rare opportunistic fungal infection that spreads rapidly, and hence prompt diagnosis and treatment are necessary to avoid mortality and morbidity rate. We report in this paper, a case of a diabetic patient who presented with bilateral nasal obstruction, anosmia, and frontal headache diagnosed with rhinocerebral mucormycosis developing after COVID-19 infection with a favorable outcome after a medico-surgical treatment. Through this case, we aim to aware patricians of this possible association and the importance of early diagnosis to optimize treatment outcomes.

Rhinocerebral Mucormycosis: An Emerging Threat in the Era of COVID-19.

Mucormycosis is a rare but aggressive and fatal infection that is prevalent in immunocompromised patients. The variation in its clinical presentation and the lack of specificity are misleading and lead to a delay in the diagnosis and management. However, the era of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is marked by the increasing emergence of Mucor infections, now identified as coronavirus-associated mucormycosis (CAM). Although many clinical forms exist, the most encountered in CAM is rhino-orbito-cerebral, as already reported in India. We present a case of a 56-year-old male patient with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and a history of recent SARS-CoV-2 infection treated with IV steroids, presenting for maxillary teeth pain and instability on day 16 of COVID-19 infection. Early diagnosis of CAM is crucial and will help decrease mortality in COVID-19 patients, especially those with comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus. Increasing cases of CAM should prompt clinicians to have a high index of suspicion for rhinocerebral mucormycosis, especially in patients with risk factors receiving steroid therapy. In such patients, baseline glycosylated hemoglobin level and strict glycemic control by frequently measuring blood glucose levels and strictly adhering to insulin protocols would be rational but its efficacy in limiting the numbers of CAM in developing countries still needs to be confirmed.

COVID-19-Associated Mucormycosis in a Tertiary Care Hospital in India: A Case Series.

Mucormycosis is a disease that usually occurs in immunocompromised patients or those with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. The second wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in India was accompanied by an unexpected rise in mucormycosis cases, ranging from the most commonly occurring Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) to rare cases of pulmonary and gastrointestinal mucormycosis. The majority of cases that presented to our hospital were individuals with underlying diabetes mellitus who received steroids for COVID-19 before being diagnosed with mucormycosis. In this case series, we present five rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis cases that were histopathologically positive and treated at a tertiary-care hospital in India. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of all of the patients demonstrated orbital apex syndrome and diffuse or focal infiltration of the cavernous sinus. Cases were treated with anti-fungal drugs, transcutaneous retrobulbar injection of amphotericin B (TRAM B), along with appropriate surgical excision and debridement of the involved tissue. The essential elements for successfully managing this fatal infection are control of the predisposing factors, early detection, anti-fungal drugs, and surgical debridement of the involved tissues.