[COVID-19 associated sino-orbital mucormycosis]. / COVID-19-assotsiirovannyi sinoorbital'nyi mukormikoz.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the dynamics of symptoms in patients with COVID-19 associated sino-orbital mucormycosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We describe a series of 13 patients with COVID-19 associated sino-orbital mucormycosis aged 43 to 80 years diagnosed from August to October 2021. All of the patients had a severe disease and required noninvasive ventilation or intubation and administration of dexamethasone. 12 out of 13 patients (92.3%) suffered from diabetes mellitus. Symptoms of fungal infections of the nose and paranasal sinuses appeared in the interval from 7 to 25 days of hospital stay, most often in the second week (from 8 to 12 days). According to clinical and CT features the patients were divided into three groups, combining similar phenotypes of the disease. Group 1 - 1 patient with sinonasal mucormycosis, destruction of the alveolar ridge and the hard palate. Group 2 - 12 patients with sino-orbital mucormycosis. We noted, that in cases of bilateral sinus lesions orbital complications were unilateral in all patients, on the side of more severe lesion. Group 2 was divided into 2 subgroups: subgroup 2a included 2 patients with the superior orbital fissure syndrome: ptosis, proptosis, ophthalmoplegia, periorbital pain, pain or hypoesthesia of half face; subgroup 2b included 10 patients with the orbital apex syndrome, who, in addition to the above symptoms, had loss of vision and conjunctival chemosis. Group 3 - rhino-sino-cerebral mucormycosis. 2 patients from subgroup 2b were transferred to this group due to the intracranial spread of the process and focal neurological symptoms. CONCLUSION: Clinical forms of mucormycosis reflect successive stages of invasive spread of fungi.

Changes of Volume Parameters in the Treatment of Graves Ophthalmopathy by Endoscopic Transethmoidal Decompression of the Orbital Inner Wall Combined with Fat Decompression.

Objective: To observe the orbital volume changes and the analysis of surgical effect of Graves orbitopathy (GO) after endoscopic medial wall decompression combined with muscle cone fat. Methods: Twenty-two patients (30 eyes) with Graves orbital disease who visited the Department of Ophthalmology of Ningbo Medical Center from December 2019 to September 2021 were retrospectively collected. All patients were diagnosed as nonorganic active stage before operation, and all of them received endoscopic transethmoidal decompression of the medial orbital wall combined with intramuscular orbital fat decompression due to decreased vision, visual field defect or color vision disorder, and concomitant proptosis. Regular follow-up after operation. The curative effect is judged according to the degree of improvement of visual acuity, color vision, degree of correction of exophthalmos, diplopia, and other complications at 9 months after operation. Orbital CT combined with computer aided measurement software (Mimics 21) was used to measure the changes of orbital volume before and after exophthalmos surgery. The relationship between the value and eyeball regression is analyzed. Results: Preoperative exophthalmos ranged from 17.4 mm to 27.6 mm, with an average of (22.08 ± 2.86) mm. The postoperative exophthalmos was 14-25 mm, with an average of (19.52 ± 3.10) mm. Among them, 7 eyes (23.3%) had exophthalmos regression less than 1 mm, 6 eyes (20%) had a regression of 1-2 mm, 7 eyes (23.3%) had a regression of 2-3 mm, 5 eyes (16.7%) had a regression of 3-4 mm, and 5 eyes (16.7%) had a regression of 4-5.3 mm. The exophthalmos after operation was significantly lower than that before operation, and the difference was statistically significant (t = 9.909, P < 0.05). The preoperative orbital volume was 18.6 cm3-25.3 cm3 with an average of (22.39 ± 1.91) cm3. The postoperative orbital volume was 19.8 cm3-26.6 cm3, with an average of (23.89 ± 1.90) cm3.The orbital volume change range is 0.1 cm3-3.8 cm3, and the average orbital volume change is (1.51 ± 1.00) cm3. Compared with preoperative orbital volume, the difference was statistically significant (t = -8.074, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Endoscopic decompression of the medial orbital wall through the ethmoid approach combined with decompression of the orbital fat within the muscle cone can effectively correct the exophthalmos while decompressing the orbital apex, and it is minimally invasive and has no facial scars. It has the advantages of extremely low incidence of postoperative diplopia and eye shift. There is a significant correlation between orbital volume changes and the regression of exophthalmos, which can provide reference for clinical guidance of surgical methods and prediction of surgical results.

The triumvirate of NF-κB, inflammation and cytokine storm in COVID-19.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has once again reminded us of the significance of host immune response and consequential havocs of the immune dysregulation. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) inflicts severe complications to the infected host, including cough, dyspnoea, fever, septic shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDs), and multiple organ failure. These manifestations are the consequence of the dysregulated immune system, which gives rise to excessive and unattended production of pro-inflammatory mediators. Elevated circulatory cytokine and chemokine levels are accompanied by spontaneous haemorrhage, thrombocytopenia and systemic inflammation, which are the cardinal features of life-threatening cytokine storm syndrome in advanced COVID-19 diseases. Coronavirus hijacked NF-kappa B (NF-κB) is responsible for upregulating the expressions of inflammatory cytokine, chemokine, alarmins and inducible enzymes, which paves the pathway for cytokine storm. Given the scenario, the systemic approach of simultaneous inhibition of NF-κB offers an attractive therapeutic intervention. Targeted therapies with proteasome inhibitor (VL-01, bortezomib, carfilzomib and ixazomib), bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor (acalabrutinib), nucleotide analogue (remdesivir), TNF-α monoclonal antibodies (infliximab and adalimumab), N-acetylcysteine and corticosteroids (dexamethasone), focusing the NF-κB inhibition have demonstrated effectiveness in terms of the significant decrease in morbidity and mortality in severe COVID-19 patients. Hence, this review highlights the activation, signal transduction and cross-talk of NF-κB with regard to cytokine storm in COVID-19. Moreover, the development of therapeutic strategies based on NF-κB inhibition are also discussed herein.

Transvenous Onyx Embolization of a Type D Carotid-Cavernous-Fistula: Operative Video.

Carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs) are acquired pathologic shunts between the carotid circulation and the cavernous sinus that result in venous congestion.1 They often present with ocular symptoms, such as chemosis, proptosis, and blurry vision. Cranial nerve deficits and increased intraocular pressure are often seen on the neuro-ophthalmologic examination.2 If left untreated, they can lead to cortical venous reflux and intracranial hemorrhage. A cerebral angiogram is the gold standard to diagnose these lesions. The hallmark of dural CCF is opacification of venous structures in the arterial phase of the angiogram. Dependent on carotid branches contributing to the fistula, 4 types are classically defined by Barrow et al.3 When the fistula is indirect (types B-D), the goal of treatment is obliteration via the transvenous route.4 We present the case of a patient who had chemosis and proptosis of the left eye with imaging findings concerning for dural CCF (Video 1). An informed consent was obtained and the patient underwent a cerebral angiogram and treatment of the CCF. In the operative video, we showcase the treatment of a type D CCF using transvenous embolization with Onyx (Covidien, Irvine, CA) and achieve angiographic cure of the fistula. We were able to use Onyx for embolization since the superselective injection did not show cortical venous drainage. This is important as obliteration of cortical veins with liquid embolisate could cause venous infarcts. To our knowledge, this is the first video article that illustrates the endovascular embolization of a CCF and highlights the angiographic findings pre- and post-embolization.

Suspected orbital myositis associated with COVID-19.

A 44-year-old male patient developed proptosis, edema, and erythema progressing to complete ptosis and supraduction deficit 2 days after positive COVID-19 test. He failed to improve on systemic antibiotics. MRI showed thickening and T2 enhancement of the superior rectus/levator complex consistent with orbital myositis. He improved on intravenous corticosteroids and experienced continued gradual improvement on oral steroids.

Mucormycosis with orbital compartment syndrome in a patient with COVID-19.

During the current pandemic of COVID-19, a myriad of manifestations and complications has emerged and are being reported on. We are discovering patients with COVID-19 are at increased risk of acute cardiac injury, arrythmias, thromboembolic complications (pulmonary embolism and acute stroke), and secondary infection to name a few. I describe a novel case of COVID-19 in a previously healthy 33-year-old female who presented for altered mental status and proptosis. She was ultimately diagnosed with mucormycosis and orbital compartment syndrome, in addition to COVID-19. Early identification of these high morbidity conditions is key to allow for optimal treatment and improved outcomes.