COVID-19 associated rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis: An observational study from Eastern India, with special emphasis on neurological spectrum

AIMS

1: Describe the epidemiology and determine risk factors for COVID-19 associated mucormycosis. 2: Elaborate the clinical spectrum of Rhino-Orbital-Cerebral Mucormycosis (ROCM), pattern of neuroaxis involvement and it's radiological correlates.

METHODS

Observational study. Consecutive, confirmed cases of mucormycosis (N = 55) were included. A case of mucormycosis was defined as one who had clinical and radiological features consistent with mucormycosis along with demonstration of the fungus in tissue via KOH mount/culture/histopathological examination (HPE). Data pertaining to epidemiology, risk factors, clinico-radiological features were analysed using percentage of total cases.

RESULTS

Middle aged, diabetic males with recent COVID-19 infection were most affected. New onset upper jaw toothache was a striking observation in several cases. Among neurological manifestations headache, proptosis, vision loss, extraocular movement restriction; cavernous sinus, meningeal and parenchymal involvement were common. Stroke in ROCM followed a definitive pattern with watershed infarction.

CONCLUSIONS

New onset upper jaw toothache and loosening of teeth should prompt an immediate search for mucormycosis in backdrop of diabetic patients with recent COVID-19 disease, aiding earlier diagnosis and treatment initiation. Neuroaxis involvement was characterized by a multitude of features pertaining to involvement of optic nerve, extraocular muscles, meninges, brain parenchyma and internal carotid artery.

Metastases in cerebellopontine angle from the tumors of central nerve system

The objective of this study was to analyze the characters of the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) metastases from central nerve system (CNS) tumors. Ten patients were reviewed for the period between 2008 and 2015. The clinical and neuroimaging features, and treatment outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. The average period during primary diagnosis through the diagnosis of CPA metastases was 42.4months. Among the 10 cases, the primary tumors and metastases were found simultaneously in 3 cases, the metastases after primary tumor removal were found in 5 cases, and the metastases after stereotaxic radiosurgery were found in 2 cases. Only 4 patients presented with the symptoms and signs associated with CPA involving, one with hearing loss, one presenting facial paralysis, one suffering from tinnitus and one case with dizziness. There were 2 cases with the miliary metastases and 8 cases with massive metastases. There existed 3 cases with single CPA metastases, whereas 7 cases with multiple metastatic foci. Among the 8 cases of massive metastatic foci, 6 tumors presented the solid features and the other 2 cases exhibited cystic and solid features. In this cohort of cases, 4 cases were involved in the bilateral and 6 cases presented unilateral metastatic foci. The three CPA metastases were removed in this group, 6 case performed with radiotherapy, and 5 cases received chemotherapy. In the current group 5 patients have been dead, 3 patients kept stable and 2 cases experienced improvement. In spite of seldom previous reports regarding the metastases from CNS tumors occurring in the CPA are existent, this rare form of the disease should be considered in future evaluation as a differential diagnosis.