An Experience with Post Covid-19 Rhino-Orbital Cerebral Mucormycosis with Oral Manifestations: A Retrospective Study

Background:The indiscriminate use of corticosteroids in moderate to severe COVID-19 cases has precipitated an unprecedented surge in mucormycosis, a life-threatening fungal infection.Although recent literature extensively discusses mucormycosis's clinical and treatment aspects, reports on its intra-oral manifestations remain sparse.This study aims to elucidate the presence and treatment of oral symptoms in Rhino-Orbital-Cerebral (ROC) mucormycosis cases.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted utilizing 2021 records from the departmental OPD and IPD archives.Collected data encompassed demographic details, co-morbidities, predisposing factors, and both extra-oral and intra-oral symptomatology, as well as the treatments administered and the patient's status at least one-month post-hospital discharge.Numerical data underwent central tendency analysis, while chi-square testing was applied to ordinal data.Results: Of the 21 ROC mucormycosis cases noted, most (20) presented with palatal lesions, one with a tongue lesion and two with maxillary alveolar involvement.Palatal afflictions included discoloration (4 cases), petechiae (4 cases), ulceration (7 cases), and necrosis (5 cases).Fourteen patients received medical therapy alone, and seven underwent additional surgical treatment.Survival and mortality rates showed no significant variation based on treatment type.Conclusion: Early signs of ROC mucormycosis include intra-oral symptoms such as pain in the upper teeth, darkening of the palate, and tenderness in the alveolar region.Individuals, who have previously had COVID-19 and who have diabetes should promptly seek a medical or dental assessment if they experience these symptoms.The illness exhibits a significant mortality rate, with approximately one-third of the patients in this study leading to fatality.