Central nervous system manifestations of mucormycosis

Abstract

<p><strong>Background:</strong> There has been an unprecedented increase in the number of mucormycosis cases post the second wave of COVID-19 in India, with a variety of clinical manifestations. The central nervous system manifestations have proven to be especially fatal, hence these require special attention. Aims and objectives of current investigation was to study the epidemiology, clinical features, risk factors, diagnostic modalities, management and complications of CNS manifestations of mucormycosis.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> This is a retrospective study, conducted on the mucormycosis patients admitted in G.G. hospital Jamnagar. Patients with clinically and radiologically evident central nervous system involvement were included in the study. The records of the patients were followed for 3 months post the diagnosis. 47 patients were included in the study.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> The mean age of the patients was 51 years. 72.34% of patients were males, and 27.65%, were females. The most common clinical feature was headache 100% followed by fever 55%. Most of the patients (97.87%) had history of COVID 19 or had active infection. 63.96% had diabetes Mellitus. The most common radiological finding was cavernous sinus thrombosis (32.60%), 72.34% underwent surgical debridement, and all the patients were administered Amphotericin B. The outcome improved significantly with surgical debridement, with recovery seen in 51.06% patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> There has been a steep rise in the cases of mucormycosis following the COVID-19 pandemic. It is an extremely virulent infection which spreads rapidly, often causing the involvement of the central nervous system. However, early diagnosis and intervention have been found to alter the prognosis significantly.</p>