Objective: To determine if there was an increase in the rate of cases presenting with rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) to a tertiary care center during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the characteristics of the presenting cases.Methods: Retrospective observational study reviewing ROCM cases presenting from March 25 until September 25, 2020. Cases fulfilling the clinical, radiological, and pathological/microbiological criteria for diagnosis with ROCM were included. The number of cases presenting during the designated interval, their COVID-19 status, comorbidities, and clinical presentation were analyzed. The number of cases during the corresponding interval in the previous 3 years was used as reference to detect if there was a recent spike.Results: Of the 12 ROCM cases identified, 5 had a concurrent positive reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) test result for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), 1 had a prior positive result, and 6 did not have concurrent nor prior positive test results. Nine of the 12 cases had poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, and 2 cases had a hematological malignancy. All cases had orbital invasion, and eight cases had cerebral invasion. The number of cases identified during the interval is much higher than the numbers presenting in the prior 3 years during equivalent intervals (range, one to two cases) than those reported in the literature in different settings in the pre-pandemic era.Conclusions: There is an increased rate of ROCM cases presenting to our center during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a preliminary report, and further studies are needed to corroborate the findings and explain possible underlying links.
Background: The incidence of devastating opportunistic coinfections in patients with COVID-19 infection, their imaging features and their morbidity and mortality consequences need to be unraveled. Methods: This is a case series presenting the radiologic features and clinical presentation of acute invasive fungal rhino-orbital-cerebral sinusitis (AIFS) in eight hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection. Results: Our patient cohort presented with symptoms of the invasive fungal disease within 12-35 days from their initial presentation with COVID-19 infection. The cross-sectional imaging features of AIFS associated with COVID-19 infection do not differ from those reported in the literature for AIFS associated with other risk factors, yet our patients had features of aggressive late-stage forms with high morbidity and mortality rate. Conclusion: AIFS is a possible encounter in patients with COVID-19 patients and radiologists should be familiar with its imaging features.
Background In December 2019, SARS-CoV-2 was identified as the causative agent of pneumonia cases in China. This virus is spread by coughing or sneezing and can infect other persons by on contacting mucous membranes. SARS-Cov-2 most frequent serious manifestation is pneumonia. Chest computed tomography in COVID-19 patients usually shows ground-glass opacities that may be accompanied by consolidation lesions. Early diagnosis of the disease and rapid isolation of the patient is of great importance. So far, confirmation of COVID-19 infection is made by RT-PCR of nasopharyngeal or respiratory specimens. Recent research reported that the sensitivity of computed tomography in diagnosing COVID-19 is 98% while RT-PCR sensitivity is 71%. Herein, we compare the sensitivity of both chest CT and RT-PCR in diagnosing COVID-19 at initial patient presentation through a meta-analysis study. Main body Using MEDLINE database a systematic literature search was conducted to identify relevant published studies within from November 2019 to April 2020. Only articles with full text were examined to determine eligibility and extract data by two reviewers. It was decided to include studies mentioning sensitivity of chest CT scan and sensitivity of RT-PCR and both done at the same time. Results Potentially relevant 15,300 studies were identified in our search in MEDLINE whose titles were quickly reviewed. Potentially eligible studies missing any of the forementioned inclusion criteria were excluded. This process left 7 eligible articles that fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were thus included in the meta-analysis and used for further analyses. Conclusion The meta-analysis study showed that chest CT may be beneficial in early detection of cases of COVID-19. Imaging, in adjunct to clinical and laboratory findings, should be used for monitoring of disease course, until further evidence is available.
Background The most common manifestations of infection with COVID-19 are fever, sore throat, dry cough, headache, and body aches. The available evidence for successful and safe pharmacological therapy against COVID-19 has not yet been identified, and the possible evidence relates to many adverse reactions. Taste disorders, petechiae, desquamative gingivitis, unspecific oral ulcerations, xerostomia, and candidiasis are the oral manifestations related to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Main body of the abstract We reviewed the literature regarding the reported oral mucosal lesions in cases with confirmed COVID-19 infection together with presenting five cases with oral mucosal lesions associated with COVID-19 infection. Direct causal association between COVID-19 infection and oral mucosal lesions is still vague, hence further research is required. Conclusion Oral examination is mandatory in cases with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection.
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