A Comparative Study of Acute Invasive Fungal Sinusitis During the First and Second Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

We aimed to compare the demography, clinical profile, histopathology, fungal culture, radiology, surgery performed, medical therapy and outcomes of patients with acute invasive fungal sinusitis seen during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic by retrospectively reviewing their case records. Of 238 patients, 43(18.1%) presented during the first wave and 195(81.9%) during the second wave. Patients seen during the first wave were older (p = 0.04) and more likely to have visual impairment (p = 0.004), frozen eye (p = 0.012), altered sensorium (p = 0.007) and stage 3 disease (p = 0.03). Those seen during the second wave were more often COVID-19 positive and had newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus (p = 0.04)and stage 1 disease (p = 0.03). Most patients had a positive culture for Rhizopus species during both waves. Histopathology showed broad aseptate hyphae in all patients but angioinvasion was seen more often during the first wave (p = 0.04). The majority of patients were treated with endoscopic+/- open debridement followed by intravenous amphotericin B and oral posaconazole. While the overall survival rate was similar (first wave 65.1%; second wave 79%; p = 0.106), mortality after discharge was greater during the first wave (11.6% vs 1.5%; p = 0.001). Mortality was higher in patients with stage 3 disease (p = 0.003). Significant differences in clinical presentation, histopathology, radiological stage of disease and post-discharge survival were noted between the two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, the causes for which were multi-factorial.

Predictors of Delayed Hyponatraemia After Surgery for Pituitary Tumour.

Delayed hyponatraemia(DH) is a common complication following trans-sphenoidal surgery(TSS) for pituitary tumour. We evaluated the prevalence of DH following TSS, and assessed the factors associated with DH, including early post-operative diabetes insipidus(EPDI). This retrospective study included 100 TSS for pituitary tumours in 98 patients, over a period of 26 months. Subjects were divided into two groups: those who developed hyponatraemia and those who did not develop hyponatraemia, during post-operative days 4 to 14. The clinical characteristics and peri-operative parameters were compared between the two groups, to identify factors predicting DH. The mean age of the patients was 42.0±13.6 years, 58 (59%) were females and 61 (61%) had functional tumours. Thirty-six patients(36%) developed DH following TSS of whom majority(58%) were diagnosed on post-operative days 7 and 8; only 8/36 (22%) were symptomatic. Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion(SIADH) was found to be the most common aetiology of DH. On logistic regression analysis, intra-operative cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) leak (OR 5.0; 95% CI 1.9-13.8; p=0.002), EPDI (OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.3-9.2; p=0.015) and peri-operative steroid use (OR 3.6; 95% CI 1.3-9.8; p=0.014) were found to be significantly associated with DH. In conclusion, EPDI, intra-operative CSF leak and peri-operative steroid use were significant predictors of DH. EPDI predicts moderate to severe hyponatraemia with 80% specificity but has low sensitivity(47%). As most patients have asymptomatic hyponatraemia, serum sodium measurement on POD 7 to 10 would be helpful to identify DH in patients at increased risk.

Primary odontogenic onset invasive mucormycosis-an under recognized clinical entity.

OBJECTIVES: The primary source of facial mucormycosis is through inhalation of fungal sporangiospores, resulting in invasive disease in paranasal sinuses. However, dental onset mucormycosis has not been well documented in literature. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with odontogenic onset mucormycosis. METHODS: From a large cohort of mucormycosis involving the face between July 2020 and October 2021, we selected patients who had dental symptoms at onset and predominant alveolar involvement with little to no paranasal sinus disease as shown by baseline imaging. All patients had a confirmed diagnosis of mucormycosis through histopathology, with or without the growth of Mucorales in fungal culture. RESULTS: Out of 256 patients with invasive mucormycosis of the face, 8.2% (21 patients) had odontogenic onset. Uncontrolled diabetes was a common risk factor, affecting 71.4% (15/21) of the patients, while recent COVID-19 illness was noted in 80.9% (17/21) of patients. The median duration of symptoms at presentation was 37 days (IQR, 14-80 days). The most common symptoms were dental pain with loose teeth (100%), facial swelling (66.7% [14/21]), pus discharge (28.6% [6/21]), and gingival and palatal abscess (28.6% [6/21]). Extensive osteomyelitis was found in 61.9% (13/21) of the patients, and 28.6% (6/21) had oroantral fistulas. The mortality rate was low, at 9.5% (2/21), with only 9.5% (2/21) of the patients having brain extension and 14.2% (3/21) in the orbit. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that odontogenic onset invasive mucormycosis may be a separate clinical entity with its own distinct clinical features and prognosis.