CHSJ

Curr Health Sci J, vol. 50, no. 1, 2024

Magnetic Resonance Imaging in COVID-19 Associated Rhino-Sinusal Mucormycosis

[Original Paper]

M.V. CIUREA(1), I.I. JEICAN(2), N. BALICA(3,4), D. VRANCEANU(5), S. ALBU(6)


(1)Discipline of Oro-Maxillo-Facial Surgery and Implantology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400029, Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
(2)Department of Anatomy and Embryology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
(3)ENT Department, “Victor Babe?” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bd. Revolutiei No. 6, 300054 Timisoara, Romania,
(4)”Victor Babe?” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Pia?a Eftimie Murgu Nr. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania,
(5)ENT Department, Bucharest Emergency University Hospital, 010271 Bucharest, Romania,
(6)II-nd Department of Otolaryngology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania


Abstract:

Rhino-sinusal mucormycosis is an acute invasive fungal infection rarely encountered in the clinical setting, occurring in severe immunosuppressed patients. However, in patients suffering from COVID-19 disease a dramatic increase in the incidence of mucormycosis has been recorded. The aim of the study is to discuss the MRI findings of patients with COVID-19 associated mucormycosis. This is a retrospective review of 10 hospitalized and operated patients in three Otolaryngologic Departments between the 1st of February 2021 and the 30th of October 2021. All patients presented nasal mucormycosis, histologically verified along with documented SARS-CoV-2 positive RT-PCR test. The sinus involvement, extra sinus spread and peri-sinus invasion were documented in all patients. The correlation between MRI and intra-operative findings was also assessed. The black turbinate sign and peri-antral soft tissue infiltration are early MRI signs characteristic of mucormycosis. Moreoever, MRI has a significantly high positive predictive value for intra-operative findings in COVID-19 associated mucormycosis.


Keywords: Mucormycosis, sinus, MRI, COVID-19.



Corresponding: Mircea Viorel Ciurea, Discipline of Oro-Maxillo-Facial Surgery and Implantology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400029, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, e-mail: mircea10ciurea@gmail.com


DOI 10.12865/CHSJ.50.01.10 - Download PDF
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