THE ROLE OF NASAL ENDOSCOPY IN PATIENTS OF MUCORMYCOSIS

Abstract

Objective: The Rhino-orbital- cerebral infection is the most typical presentation of mucormycosis where there is an invasion of the fungal infection from paranasal sinuses to orbit and brain (6,11).Extension of the disease leads to vascular thrombosis, including the cavernous sinus and other cerebral vessels due to fibrin reaction and Mucor thrombus formation. Nasal Endoscopy aids in the early detection and management of the disease (8). This study aims to study the signs and symptoms of patients with mucormycosis and the role of nasal endoscopy in early diagnosis. Subjects And Methods: A Prospective study was conducted on 150 patients of age 20-90 years attending ENT OPD and admitted under the Department of otorhinolaryngology at a tertiary care center in Central India. Subjects with or without Covid 19 infection, comorbidities like diabetes and hypertension and patients on steroids were selected for nasal endoscopy. Patients with benign or malignant lesions of nasal cavity and post operative cases of FESS for mucor were excluded. Results: In out study, majority patients were from the 5th decade followed by the 6th. In the classification system designed on the basis of endoscopy findings, majority were in Group B(42%) followed by Group C (28.7%). Maxillary sinus was found to be the most common sinuses involved as seen in the MRI of 110 patients. Out of 150 patients, debridement was done in 74 patients. In our study, we have concluded that diagnostic nasal endosco Conclusion: py aids in early diagnosis and management of mucormycosis. The grading system makes the management of the large number of patients easier. Appropriate time, treatment and resources can be given to the required patients. All patients after this management protocol stood well and were successfully discharged with only 8% mortality rate.