The Colt for Phoenix: Mucormycosis in COVID-19 times

Abstract

To compare whether treatment incorporating retrobulbar liposomal amphotericin B for rhino-orbital mucormycosis in ongoing covid 19 time can reduce the risk of exenteration compared to treatment with intravenous liposomal amphotericin B without compromising the survival rate. In this retrospective, comparative institutional study 23 patients of biopsy-proven mucormycosis and radiographic evidence of orbital involvement were enrolled and 13 were divided into group A and 10 in group B. Group A consists of patients who were treated with retrobulbar liposomal amphotericin B and group B consists of patients who were treated with intravenous liposomal amphotericin B. In group A, out of 13 patients, only one patient underwent exenteration and the patient survived post exenteration. Among the other 12 patients, 10 patients survived. In group B, out of ten, four patients were subjected to exenteration, out of which two survived. Among the other six patients without exenteration, five of them survived. In comparison, patients who were treated with retrobulbar amphotericin B had a lower risk of disfiguring exenteration without an apparent increase in the risk of mortality.