Clinical Presentations, Management and Outcomes of Rhino-Orbital-Cerebral Mucormycosis (ROCM) Following COVID-19: A Multi-Centric Study

PURPOSE

To report clinical presentations and factors affecting outcomes in rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis following COVID-19.

METHODS

Retrospective multi-centric interventional case series of 58 eyes with rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis. Demography, clinical parameters and management outcomes were noted. Factors affecting outcome and mortality were analyzed. Outcome was defined as favorable when complete resolution or stabilization without further progression of the infection was noted at last visit.

RESULTS

Mean age was 55 ± 11 years (median 56). The mean HbA1c value was 10.44 ± 2.84 mg% (median 10.5). The duration between the diagnosis of COVID-19 and rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis was 16 ± 21 days (median: 8 days). Thirty-six eyes (62%) had no vision at presentation. Imaging revealed paranasal sinus involvement (100%), orbital apex involvement (41%), cavernous sinus involvement (30%), and central nervous system (CNS) involvement (33%). All the patients were treated with systemic Liposomal amphotericin-B and sinus debridement. Twenty-two eyes (38%) underwent exenteration. One eye underwent transcutaneous retrobulbar amphotericin-B. The mean follow-up duration was 5.62 ± 0.78 months (median 6). Favorable outcome was seen in 35 (60%) cases. Presence of uncontrolled diabetes (p = 0.001), orbital apex involvement (p = 0.04), CNS involvement (p = 0.04), and history of steroid use (p < 0.0001) resulted in unfavorable outcome. CNS involvement was the only factor predicting mortality (p = 0.03). Mortality was seen in 20 (34%) patients.

CONCLUSION

Over a third of patients with rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis following COVID-19 have an unfavorable clinical outcome. Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus at presentation, involvement of the orbital apex, CNS, and the usage of steroids were associated with poorer outcomes. CNS involvement was a factor determining mortality.

A fungal epidemic amidst a viral pandemic: Risk factors for development of COVID-19 associated rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis in India

PURPOSE

To study the risk factors for development of COVID-19 associated rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) during the COVID-19 pandemic in India.

METHODS

Multi-centric retrospective case-control study conducted from October 2020 to May 2021. Cases comprised of consecutive patients of COVID-19-associated ROCM (CA-ROCM) presenting at the participating ophthalmic institutes. Controls comprised of COVID-19-positive or COVID-19-recovered patients who did not develop ROCM. Comparative analysis of demographic, COVID-19 infection, treatment parameters and vaccination status between cases and controls performed. Clinical and imaging features of CA-ROCM analyzed.

RESULTS

There were 179 cases and 361 controls. Mean age of presentation in cases was 52.06 years (p = .001) with male predominance (69.83%, p = .000011). Active COVID-19 infection at the time of presentation of ROCM (57.54%, p < .0001), moderate to severe COVID-19 (p < .0001), steroid administration (OR 3.63, p < .00001), uncontrolled diabetes (OR 32.83, p < .00001), random blood sugar >178 mg/dl were associated with development of CA-ROCM. Vaccination showed a protective effect (p = .0049). In cases with intracranial or cavernous sinus extension there was history of steroid administration (OR 2.89, p = .024) and orbital apex involvement on imaging (OR 6.202, p = .000037) compared to those with only rhino-orbital disease.

CONCLUSION

Male gender, active COVID-19 infection, moderate or severe COVID-19, uncontrolled diabetes, steroid administration during COVID-19 treatment are risk factors for developing rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis. Vaccination is protective. Random blood sugar of >178 mg/dl in COVID-19 positive or recovered patients should warrant close observation and early detection of ROCM. Presence of ophthalmoplegia, blepharoptosis at first clinical presentation and orbital apex involvement on imaging are associated with intracranial extension in ROCM.

A unique case of intracorneal aberrant lenticular rest

Phakomatous chorsitomas are rare congenital tumors of lenticular anlage believed to be caused by invagination of surface ectoderm into the mesoderm. They may present as a mass lesion in the eyelid or in the orbit. We report a rare case of lenticular anlage occurring within the corneal stroma in a 6-month-old boy.