Clinical Profile and Management of a Series of Rhino-Orbital-Cerebral Mucormycosis Cases at Otorhinolaryngology Department of a Tertiary Hospital

Abstract

During the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the medical fraternity witnessed a sudden surge of rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) cases, probably because of the immunocompromised state of the patients imposed by SARS-CoV-2 itself, excessive use of steroids or co-existing conditions such as diabetes mellitus. This chapter includes an extensive series of 67 patients with COVID-19-associated ROCM who presented to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at a tertiary care centre. The patients were of varying severity and were assessed based on their clinical features, investigations, and imaging involving computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

A classification to depict different stages of rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis has also been explained. The results showed that though the mortality of COVID-associated mucormycosis is remarkably high, there is no doubt that preventive practises and rational use of immunomodulators and steroids play a role in management, but also a high index of suspicion with early diagnosis and prompt management is the key to survival.