Clinicoepidemiological study of acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis in a tertiary care centre

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background: </strong>Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) accounted for severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which was declared a global pandemic by World health organization (WHO) in March 2020. In second wave of COVID there was notable surge in Acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFRS). We observed that use of systemic corticosteroids in treatment of COVID 19 especially among patients with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus increased the incidence of AIFRS.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This is retrospective observational study carried out in a Tertiary care Hospital GMC Akola from period of February 2021 to august 2021 were patients with the suspected diagnosis of AIFRS were admitted and evaluated following a standardized protocol, including clinical examination diagnostic nasal endoscopy, radiological evaluation. Diagnosis of AIFRS was confirmed on histopathology.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Study was conducted in GMC, Akola of 136 patients out of which 97 were males and 39 were females. In our study 78.67% patients had history of covid infection, followed by diabetes mellitus in 54.41%, history of steroid treatment found in 64.70% patients. On HPE 69.85% were positive for mucor and mixed infection (mucor and aspergillus) were found in 6.61%. Most common presenting feature was facial pain and swelling in 66.91%, palatal changes with dental pain in 45.58%, diminution of vision 17.64%, headache in 27.94% patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Early and prompt diagnosis in high level of clinical suspicion in suspicious patient of AIFRS is vital to improve outcomes as it is known to have high morbidity and mortality (18-80%).</p>