Sinomaxillary mucormycosis an increasingly common occurrence in the COVID-19 pandemic

Maxillary mucormycosis and aspergillosis in post-COVID-19 patients in Mexico: A case series

BACKGROUND

Fungal infections, during or as a consequence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, associated with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and indiscriminate use of corticosteroids have been reported. In the jaw, mostly mucormycosis has been diagnosed in hospitals.

METHODS

A retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study of the clinical, imaging, and histopathologic characteristics of maxillary invasive fungal infection in post-COVID-19 patients diagnosed in a private non-hospital oral pathology service in Mexico during 2020-2022 was conducted.

RESULTS

We found 20 cases of maxillary invasive fungal infections in post-COVID-19 patients, 75% including a diagnosis of mucormycosis and 25% diagnosed as probable aspergillosis. The most common signs and symptoms were exposed necrotic bone followed by tooth mobility, discharge, and pain. On imaging, unilateral maxillary sinus involvement was observed in 6 cases (30%), and bilateral maxillary sinus involvement was observed in 3 cases (15%).

CONCLUSIONS

It is essential to consider the association of osteonecrosis of the jaw in post-COVID-19 patients, with aspergillosis, not only mucormycosis, for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Post-COVID mucormycosis osteomyelitis and its imaging manifestations in the North of Iran: case series

Mucormycosis is an invasive fungal infection that usually affects patients with immunocompromised conditions. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the following corticosteroid therapy, mucormycosis prevalence has increased. The situation may be more complicated with some underlying diseases such as diabetes mellitus. In addition, due to the vicinity of maxillary bone to the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, which are the main routes for the infection to spread, dentists, maxillofacial radiologists, and surgeons may be the first to encounter these patients. Post-COVID mucormycosis osteomyelitis is one of the complications of this infection Bone destruction and the erosion or breach of cortical boundaries of the maxilla and the bone structures in the vicinity of paranasal sinuses are the most critical radiographic findings of post-covid osteomyelitis. Herein, there are some cases of post-covid mucormycosis osteomyelitis involving the maxillary and other facial bones.