A STUDY OF CLINICAL AND IMAGING FEATURES OF RHINOCEREBRAL MUCORMYCOSIS IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Purpose : Mucormycosis is a angio-invasive infection caused by group of fungi called Mucormycetes. Global prevalence of Mucormycosis range from 0.2- 95 cases per million population, whereas in India prevalence of Mucormycosis was nearly 140 cases per million population (1). Rhinocerebral mucormycosis is a commonest type of mucormycosis in Covid 19 patients who had diabetic history. This study aimed to determine the patients demographics, comorbidities ,presenting symptoms and signs , imaging features, management and outcome. This Study Method : was conducted at ENT and Neurology department in the tertiary care hospital, Hyderabad during the period from May 2021 - July 2021. Out of 684 cases admitted, 72 cases were diagnosed as Rhinocerbral Mucormycosis during this period and were included in the study. After detail history and examination brain imaging was done and treatment given accordingly . Other types of mucormycosis and those who had not give consent were excluded from the study. The mean age at the presentation w Results : as 44.8 years with male preponderance ( 81.95% ). Diabetes mellitus was the most common comorbidity seen in 91.66%. History of steroid usage during covid infection was seen in 45.83% of patients. The most common presentation is swelling of periorbital area /cheek seen in 90.27 % and the most common neurological nding is opthalmoplegia seen in 66.6 %. The most common MRI imaging nding is cavernous sinus involvement in the form of T2/FLAIR Hyperintensity and T1 contrast enhancement seen in 72.2 %. Overall treatment included intravenous amphotericin B and FESS in 100% of patients, Maxillectomy and enucleation done in 16.6 and 13.8 % respectively. 70 patients recovered and 2 died due to sepsis with septic shock.