Abstract
Sinonasal mucormycosis is a deadly fungal illness that primarily affects diabetics who are uncontrolled. Numerous cranial nerves can be involved; however, facial nerve palsy has only been observed in a few cases. The main objective of this research is to highlight facial nerve involvement as a clinical sign of sinonasal mucormycosis. Nasal stuffiness, headaches, eye pain, orbital edema, ophthalmoplegia, and vision loss are common symptoms in these mucormycosis patients. The study was done in the Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Raipur, India. Nevertheless, 17 patients with facial nerve palsy (lower motor nerve palsy) and sinonasal mucormycosis arrived at our department. All patients were diabetic, and a majority of patients got Schirmer's test positive with severe stage. In the case of mucormycosis, facial nerve palsy is an unusual but noteworthy symptom. This could be misinterpreted as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), causing the therapy to be delayed. This is critical as early identification, surgical debridement, and adequate therapy of the underlying metabolic imbalance, as well as amphotericin B, are critical for a successful treatment outcome in mucormycosis.
Highlights
Sinonasal cerebral mucormycosis (SNCM) is an opportunistic fulminant fungal infection caused by Rhizopus species of the order Mucorales
Headache, retro-orbital pain, orbital edema, and slight loss of vision are all common symptoms of SNCM in uncontrolled diabetics or immunocompromised patients
All mucormycosis cases admitted between April 2021 and July 2021 were screened for facial nerve palsy
Summary
Sinonasal cerebral mucormycosis (SNCM) is an opportunistic fulminant fungal infection caused by Rhizopus species of the order Mucorales. Baker RD, an American pathologist, created the word "mucormycosis." According to the literature, the annual incidence of mucormycosis is around 1.7 cases per 1,000,000 people [1]. Very few studies are published in this area, so the present study will add valuable information and support further research in this area This case series intends to raise awareness of this unusual SNCM presenting with facial nerve palsy among ENT surgeons. It pretends to explore whether facial nerve palsy is a presenting feature of mucormycosis
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