ANOTHER COMPLICATION OF COVID-19?: A CASE OF RHINOORBITAL-CEREBRAL MUCORMYCOSIS

CASE: A 44-year-old male with past medical history of type II insulindependent diabetes mellitus (DM) and end stage liver disease (ESLD) due to alcohol use and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) presented with one week of left-sided retroorbital headache and diplopia. Two weeks prior, the patient tested positive for COVID-19 and initially his severe headache was attributed to this diagnosis. On hospital presentation the patient was found to have ophthalmoplegia, ptosis and diminished sensation in the CN V1 distribution on the left. The patient was in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) with glucose of 686, venous blood gas of 7.32/29/15 and serum anion gap of 17. Contrasted orbital and maxillofacial CT showed complete opacification of the left sphenoid sinus and CT angiography/venography of the head were negative for venous sinus thrombosis. MRI of the brain showed left optic nerve ischemia and left frontal lobe cerebritis without abscess. Bedside nasal endoscopy with ENT showed purulent, fuzzy white debris bilaterally concerning for fungal sinusitis. He was taken urgently to the operating room and was found to have angioinvasive fungal sinusitis with cultures growing Lichthemia corymbifera, a fungus in the Mucor family. In addition to treatment with IV insulin and fluids for DKA, the patient was given amphotericin B and posaconazole;however, surgical intervention was deemed too high risk and futile in the setting of patient's comorbidities. IMPACT/DISCUSSION: Mucormycosis is a fungal infection that typically involves the sinuses, orbits and the central nervous system (CNS). Infection of the sinuses manifests with fever, sinus congestion/pain and headache, but can rapidly progress to involve the orbits, leading to vision changes, and the CNS, leading to encephalopathy. Other structures that can be involved include the cavernous sinus, leading to palsies of cranial nerves III-VI. Known risk factors for mucormycosis include DM, especially in patients with DKA, glucocorticoid treatment, immunosuppression and deferoxamine use. Urgent histopathologic diagnosis, initiation of intravenous antifungal agents (amphotericin B) and surgical intervention with ENT, ideally prior to extension beyond the sinuses, are fundamental to decreasing mortality, which is as high as 62%. There have been numerous case reports of mucormycosis in patients with COVID-19, particularly from India. Many of these patients were prescribed glucocorticoids as part of the COVID-19 treatment pathway or had underlying DM. Additional research is needed into the association between COVID-19 and invasive mucormycosis. CONCLUSION: In patients with poorly controlled DM or immunosuppression presenting with severe headache, sinus pain, and/or neurologic changes, mucormycosis must be considered, as it is a fatal entity requiring urgent surgical intervention and initiation of antifungal agents. Patients with COVID-19 infection may be at increased risk for mucormycosis, especially in those with underlying DM or on glucocorticoids.

Cerebrovascular Manifestations of COVID-19 in Young Adults

Objective: The aim of this study was to characterize patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and cerebrovascular disease, with a focus on young patients diagnosed with CVST and ICH/SAH. Background: There have been many reported neurologic manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) including cerebrovascular events such as ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke including intracerebral hemorrhage/subarachnoid hemorrhage (ICH/SAH) and central venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). However, there has not been much focus on this topic in young adults aged under 50. Design/Methods: Retrospective chart review was used to obtain parameters of patients hospitalized in Chicago area hospitals with COVID-19 and a neurologic diagnosis including acute ischemic stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, intracranial hemorrhage, and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Data including patients' comorbidities and disease course was entered into a secure database by representatives from 4 different tertiary care centers. Results: A total of 27 patients aged 18 to 50 were hospitalized in Chicago land tertiary care centers from March 30, 2020 to February 1, 2021 with cerebrovascular disease and concurrently tested positive for COVID-19. Of these patients, 2 were found to have venous sinus thrombosis. 9 patients had hemorrhagic strokes, of these, 4 patients with ICH were thought to have had spontaneous hemorrhages. 9 of 27 patients had no past medical history. Conclusions: This population had a large portion, 11 out of 27 patients, with non-ischemic cerebrovascular insults such as CVST, ICH, or SAH while concurrently infected with COVID-19. Unlike most classic patients who develop these conditions, our population did not have traditional risk factors such as smoking or hypertension. Systemic inflammation, hypoxia, platelet dysfunction, or hyper-coagulability due to COVID-19 are theorized as the cause of these cerebrovascular manifestations in the absence of traditional risk factors. Spontaneous cerebrovascular manifestations of COVID-19 continue to be investigated, particularly in younger patients without traditional risk factors.

Intracranial Otogenic Complications in Adults: New Factors Influencing its Onset

Objective: To identify new factors influencing the onset of intracranial otogenic complications in adults. Study Design: Retrospective cohort Place and Duration of Study: Department of ENT, Nowshera Medical College, Qazi Medical Complex Nowshera from 1st October 2019 to 31st October 2020. Methodology: One thousand and nine hundred cases within the age of 40-78 years were enrolled. The data before viral pandemic of corona virus was compared with the data gained during pandemic. The intracranial complications included meningitis, abscess of subdural/epidural or brain, sigmoid sinus and or internal jugular vein-thrombosis. The period since registration till surgery varied from 6-24 hours with an average 10-14 hours. The confirmation of coronavirus in every patient was done before admission by using reverse transcription polymerase-chain reaction through nasopharyngeal swab. Results: The mean age of 50.3±11.2 years. It was observed that there were cases of intracranial complication as 4 in pre covid time while ten were reported in the covid pandemic times. The Venous-sinus thrombosis was present in 60% of cases during covid pandemic while only in 25% before covid duration presenting a significant raise during pandemic time. Cardiovascular comorbidity was also presented significantly higher as 50% respectively in covid pandemic time with highest probability. Brain abscess and coagulopathies were also found significantly higher in covid pandemic times than in the duration before the covid, an Odd Ratio of 0.04(0.003;1.05) 95% CI. Conclusion: The new factors for influencing onset of intracranial otogenic complications in adult venous sinus thrombosis, brain abscess, coagulopathies and comorbidities as cardiovascular diseases.

INTRACRANIAL COMPLICATIONS OF STREPTOCOCCUS INTERMEDIUS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Purpose of Study Streptococcus intermedius is a Gram-positive bacterium that is part of normal oropharyngeal flora but can cause serious infections such as brain and liver abscesses. An increase of brain abscess cases related to sinusitis were recognized during the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) pandemic. We present three cases of brain abscess related to sinusitis in pediatric patients. S. intermedius was isolated in all cases. Methods Used A retrospective chart review was performed in patients with brain abscess whose cultures grew S. intermedius during the COVID-19 pandemic. Summary of Results Case 1: A 6-year-old male with 4-day history of headaches, diagnosed with viral infection by his pediatrician. He was also seen at an Urgent Care facility for fevers and managed supportively. He then developed a seizure- like episode which prompted an emergency room (ED) visit. Head computerized tomography (CT) revealed bifrontal epidural abscess and pansinusitis. He underwent bifrontal craniotomy with evacuation of epidural abscess and maxillary antrostomy. He was treated with a prolonged course of IV antibiotics with good response to treatment and resolution of seizures. Case 2: A 9-year-old female with left eye pain and swelling for six days associated with headaches and emesis. She was diagnosed with a hordeolum at an ED. Worsening of symptoms prompted a second ED visit where a CT revealed preseptal cellulitis and abscess. Further imaging showed left orbital abscess with epidural abscess. She underwent bicoronal craniotomy with evacuation of abscess and maxillary antrostomy. Treatment also included a prolonged course of IV antibiotics. She was discharged at neurologic baseline. Case 3: A 14-year-old male with fever, left eye and forehead swelling for two weeks. At the initial ED visit, he was diagnosed with a 'boil' and prescribed antibiotics and steroids. He had interval improvement of swelling but continued with daily fevers and developed vomiting prompting another ED visit. He was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) due to hypertension and vision changes. Upon arrival to the PICU, he required immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation due to pulseless ventricular tachycardia. Further workup demonstrated extensive subdural empyema and partial venous sinus thrombosis. Left decompressive hemicraniectomy and maxillary antrostomy was done emergently. He received a prolonged course of IV antibiotics. He developed right sided weakness, required nutritional and ventilatory support despite appropriate treatment. Conclusions S. intermedius can cause life threatening intracranial infections which may have increased during the COVID- 19 pandemic for reasons unknown. The diagnosis is often delayed as patients present with nonspecific symptoms. Prompt neurosurgical intervention and administration of prolonged antibiotics improve outcomes.

Modified safety techniques for transcatheter repair of superior sinus venosus defects with partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage using a 100-mm Optimus-CVS® covered XXL stent.

We report the first use of a single 100-mm long custom-made version of the Optimus-CVS® balloon-expandable PTFE-covered XXL (15-Zig) stent (AndraTec, GmbH) to eliminate sinus venosus defect left-to-right shunt and redirect anomalous right pulmonary veins blood flow through a new walled channel to the left atrium. Anatomical feasibility and strategy decision were guided by ex-vivo procedure simulation on the patient-specific 3D printed heart model and in-vivo balloon interrogation. Modified procedural and implantation techniques are detailed. Immediate and one-month follow-up showed excellent outcomes.

Diagnosis and robotic-assisted, minimally invasive, autologous pericardial patch repair of a sinus venosus atrial septal defect (ASD) with repair of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection

Case Report Sinus venosus ASDs are usually associated with one or more anomalous right sided pulmonary veins. Diagnosis by transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) and confirmation with transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) and right heart catherization can lead to a multidisciplinary approach for appropriate surgical correction. Case A 21-year-old male with no PMH presented to clinic for a routine physical to return to collegiate athletics post COVID-19 infection. His only complaint during this time was residual dyspnea (NYHA Class 1). An ECG was obtained and showed an incomplete right bundle branch block and TTE revealed an ASD with moderate RV dilation. Repeat TTE at our institution showed an interatrial shunt on injection of agitated saline via the right arm within three beats after injection. Subsequent right heart catheterization with shunt series revealed a step in oxygen saturation from 75% in the superior vena cava (SVC) to 88% in the right atrium. Additional imaging obtained with TEE confirmed a sinus venosus ASD. Cardiovascular surgery was engaged and further imaging with computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the chest confirmed a large superior sinus venosus ASD measuring 16 mm in diameter as well as partial anomalous right pulmonary venous drainage into the SVC. The heart team decided on a minimally invasive robotic approach and performed an autologous pericardial patch repair of the ASD with redirection of the right and superior pulmonary veins into the left atrium. Intra-op TEE showed no residual shunt across the interatrial septum. The patient had an uncomplicated post-operative course and was discharged home on day 4. Decision-Making Sinus venosus ASDs and associated anomalous pulmonary veins are often missed on TTE. In our patient, TEE and CTA assisted in the detection of anomalous pulmonary venous connection. A multidisciplinary heart team approach helped determine and tailor the best option for surgical correction in our patient's case. Conclusion Sinus venosus defects account for up to 10% of ASDs and can lead to pulmonary hypertension if left uncorrected. TTE remains the first imaging modality in assessing for ASDs, but TEE, RHC, and CTA can assist in comprehensive diagnosis and planning for procedural correction. Surgical closure in patients less than 25 years old without pulmonary hypertension is associated with low postoperative mortality, and a multidisciplinary approach can help ensure the most optimal method of surgical correction. (Figure Presented).

From Other Journals: A Review of Recent Articles in Pediatric Cardiology.

In this review, we provide a brief description of recently published articles addressing topics relevant to pediatric cardiologists. Our aim is to provide a summary of the latest articles published recently in other journals in our field. The articles address (1) cardiac resynchronization in children with symptomatic ventricular dysfunction and dyssynchrony which seems to result in higher transplant-free survival, (2) outcomes of aortic leaflet reconstruction including Ozaki procedure to repair aortic valve disease in adolescents, (3) meta-analysis for risk factors of ventricular tachycardia and death after repaired tetralogy of Fallot which reiterates the known risk factors and showed that the severity of pulmonary regurgitation is not in itself associated with outcomes although the ventricular response to regurgitation (dilation and dysfunction) is, (4) preschool promotion of healthy life style did not associate with sustained effect when evaluated later in childhood although repeated intervention seems to have a dose-related effect to promote healthy life style, (5) the lack of beneficial effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in the interstage period, and (6) a new phenomenon of acute heart failure and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children temporarily related to the COVID-19 pandemic.