Extra-Rhino Cerebral Manifestations of Mucormycosis in Head and Neck Region: An Insight.

Mucormycosis is a potentially life-threatening fungal infection with a high mortality rate. The difficulty and delay in diagnosis due to its rarity usually results in a poor prognosis. Most common site in head and neck region is the nose and paranasal sinuses. However there are other very unusual areas in head and neck region where mucormycosis is encountered. Knowledge of these unusual areas is must and can save a patient's life. To elaborate and highlight the unusual areas in head and neck region where mucormycosis can mimic other common diseases. This retrospective study was done from May 2010 to May 2019 over a period of 9 years. All histopathologically confirmed cases of Head and Neck mucormycosis were evaluated and data analyzed. Total 35 cases of head neck mucormycosis were encountered from May 2010 to May 2019 over a period of 9 years. Out of which 30 cases (85.72%) were of rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis and 5 cases (14.28%) were EXTRA rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis in head neck region. Mucormycosis at such unusual sites can cause diagnostic dilemma for the treating doctor. Clinical knowledge with anticipation is a must for success in treatment of mucormycosis in unusual places in head neck region especially when normal looking diseases does not respond to usual treatment.

Current Practices and Recommendations for Prioritizing Patients Mimicking Upper Respiratory Tract Symptoms in Period of Covid 19 Pandemic: A Strategic Perspective.

Upper respiratory tract symptoms can be caused by many diseases like Covid 19 disease, common cold, seasonal flu or allergy. This present a diagnostic dilemma in OPD to clinically identify which patient is suspected of Covid 19 disease and which is not. Which patient needs immediate Covid 19 testing, as not all patients presenting with these symptoms have Covid 19 disease. To develop a criteria which can help clinician in OPD while dealing with cases of upper respiratory tract symptoms and to highlight this grey area which needs further research. 107 patients with upper respiratory tract symptom over a period of 1 month, fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria were evaluated and analysed. Patients were divided into 2 groups. Group I is High suspicion group having 43 cases, Group II Low Suspicion group having 64 cases. In group I there were 29 Covid 19 positive cases (67.44%). In group II there were 3 Covid 19 positive cases (4.6%). By dividing the patients of upper respiratory tract symptoms into three groups (I & II) a system can be made for proper, timely and efficient treatment of such cases.