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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2022; 26(01): e152-e157
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1740947
Original Research
Special Article COVID-19

Covid-19-Related Acute Invasive Fungal Sinusitis: Clinical Features and Outcomes

Alaa Mohamed Abdelsamie 
1   Otorhinolaryngology department, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Qism Banha, Al Qalyubia Governorate, Banha, Egypt
,
Hossam Mohamed Abdelazim
1   Otorhinolaryngology department, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Qism Banha, Al Qalyubia Governorate, Banha, Egypt
,
Mohamed Goda Elnems 
1   Otorhinolaryngology department, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Qism Banha, Al Qalyubia Governorate, Banha, Egypt
,
Rehab Bassam Abdelhakam
1   Otorhinolaryngology department, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Qism Banha, Al Qalyubia Governorate, Banha, Egypt
,
Abdelrahman Ahmed Abdelalim 
1   Otorhinolaryngology department, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Qism Banha, Al Qalyubia Governorate, Banha, Egypt
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Abstract

Introduction There is a noticeable increase in the incidence of acute invasive fungal sinusitis which coincides with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. It is a potentially-lethal fungal infection, with the most common form being the rhino-orbito-cerebral presentation.

Objectives The aim of the present study is to discuss the different epidemiological factors, risk factors, clinical presentations and outcomes of acute invasive fungal sinusitis which is noticeably related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Methods The present cross-sectional cohort study included 22 adult patients who presented with Covid-19-related acute invasive fungal sinusitis. The diagnosis of acute invasive fungal sinusitis was confirmed by histopathological biopsy. All data, including demographics, risk factors, clinical findings, different lines of treatment and their outcomes, were recorded and analyzed.

Results All patients had diabetes mellitus (100%), and 17 (77.3%) had been submitted to systemic steroids. All patients (100%) had unilateral sinonasal disease. Proptosis was found in 15 patients (68.2%), ophthalmoplegia was observed in 12 patients (54.5%), and intracranial affection occurred in 10 patients (45.5%). A total of 20 patients (90.9%) received liposomal amphotericin B. Surgical debridement was performed in 18 patients (45.5%). Non-septated mycelia was present in 19 biopsies (86.4%), while 3 (13.6%)showed septated mycelia. Total improvement was achieved in 10 patients (45.5%), while the mortality rate was of 27.3% (6 out of 22 participants).

Conclusion Diabetes mellitus is the most common preexisting medical condition associated with Covid-19-related acute invasive fungal sinusitis. Systemic corticosteroid therapy is considered a predisposing factor. It is necessary to raise the level of awareness to diagnose this condition, especially in patients with Covid-19 infection or those who have recently recovered from it.

Keywords

Covid-19 - mucormycosis - sinusitis

Financial Support and Sponsorship

The authors have no source of funding to declare.


Ethics and Consent

The present study was performed in accordance with the 1975 Helsinki Declaration and its amendments, and the study protocol was approved by the local ethical committee under number RC3.4.2021. All patients signed the written informed consent form to participate in the study.


Availability of Data and Material

The data that support the findings of the present study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.




Publication History

Received: 21 July 2021

Accepted: 17 October 2021

Article published online:
25 January 2022

© 2022. Fundação Otorrinolaringologia. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commecial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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