COVID-19 associated multisystemic mucormycosis from India: a multicentric retrospective study on clinical profile, predisposing factors, cumulative mortality and factors affecting outcome.

PURPOSE: The clinical course of COVID-19 has been complicated by secondary infections, including bacterial and fungal infections. The rapid rise in the incidence of invasive mucormycosis in these patients is very much concerning. COVID-19-associated mucormycosis was detected in huge numbers during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in India, with several predisposing factors indicated in its pathogenesis. This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiology, predisposing factor, cumulative mortality and factors affecting outcomes among the coronavirus disease COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM). METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study across three tertiary health care centers in Southern part of India was conducted during April-June 2021. RESULTS: Among the 217 cases of CAM, mucormycosis affecting the nasal sinuses was the commonest, affecting 95 (44%) of the patients, orbital extension seen in 84 (38%), pulmonary (n = 25, 12%), gastrointestinal (n = 6, 3%), isolated cerebral (n = 2) and disseminated mucormycosis (n = 2). Diabetes mellitus, high-dose systemic steroids were the most common underlying disease among CAM patients. The mucormycosis-associated case-fatality at 6 weeks was 14%, cerebral or GI or disseminated mucormycosis had 9 times higher risk of death compared to other locations. Extensive surgical debridement along with sequential antifungal drug treatment improved the survival in mucormycosis patients. CONCLUSION: Judicious and appropriate management of the predisposing factor and factors affecting mortality associated with CAM with multi-disciplinary approach and timely surgical and medical management can be much helpful in achieving a successful outcome.

An evaluation of peri-operative clinical, serological and radiological parameters in hip arthroplasties -a prospective observational study of Indian cohorts.

BACKGROUND: The scarcity of mortality data in our country led to systematic effort with aim of evaluating peri-operative parameters associated with mortality in hip arthroplasties to determine better fixation method and reducing avoidable variables. MATERIALS & METHODS: 252 consecutive patients (133 males and 119 females; Mean age 58.68 years) operated for hip arthroplasties (cemented & uncemented THR and bipolar hemiarthroplasty) were observed prospectively for 2 years. Heart-rate, O2 saturation and BP were recorded at specific surgical steps and post-operatively for 48 h. Post-operative Trop-T and 2D Echocardiography were done in all patients and D-Dimer and CTPA in indicated ones. All post-operative deaths were extensively studied. RESULTS: - Majority (63%) were operated for traumatic indications.48% belonged to ASA grade-1, 46% grade-2 and 4% grade-3. There was statistically significant association of diagnosis (traumatic aetiology), ASA grade 2, raised Troponin -T, raised D-dimer and pulmonary embolism with mortality. Mortality rate in our study at post-op 48 h was 5.5%, 30 day- 8% and 1-year mortality rate was 19%. With total of 14 deaths, 8 deaths (57.14%) occurred among 127 cemented arthroplasties and 6 deaths (42.86%) among 125 uncemented arthroplasties. CONCLUSIONS: Selection of implant (cemented or uncemented) made no difference in eventual mortality. Collaborative effort of orthopaedic surgeon, anaesthetist and experts from respective fields in elderly high-risk patient with vigilant post-operative surveillance for minimum 48 h would help in lowering mortality associated with hip arthroplasties.

Bicentric Synchronous Giant cell tumor: A Rare Managed Case Report of Bilateral Fibula Neck Tumor.

INTRODUCTION: Multicentric giant cell tumor (GCT) of bone is an uncommon variant of the typical solitary lesion, with numerous large series reporting an incidence of 0-1.4%. Multifocal lesions also appear to be more locally aggressive than their solitary counterparts and have higher rates of recurrence. Solitary GCT of proximal fibula usually involves fibular head, bicentric synchronous bilateral fibular neck involvement is a rare presentation. CASE PRESENTATION: An otherwise healthy 24-year-old boy presented with a palpable mass in the region of his left proximal fibula and B/L knee pain. He reported pain with activity but no peroneal nerve symptoms. Radiographs of his left knee revealed an expansile lytic lesion at the proximal fibula epimetaphyseal level while the right knee X-ray showed a similar smaller lesion. MRI was done to delineate the accurate extent of the tumor. On the left side, the patient underwent partial fibulectomy (en bloc resection) and chemical cauterization of the edges with 5% phenol. The other side GCT was smaller and the patient was largely asymptomatic, hence was planned for conservative management. CONCLUSION: Multicentric GCT is a known entity and diagnosis should be considered after thorough metabolic workup and after ruling out more common polyostotic skeletal lesions. Selected patients with aggressive (benign) and malignant tumors of the proximal fibula can be treated successfully by resection and with supplementary soft-tissue reconstruction, a good functional outcome can be anticipated.