IMAGING FEATURES OF COVID-19 ASSOCIATED RHINO-ORBITO-CEREBRAL MUCORMYCOSIS - A REVIEW OF CURRENT UPDATES OF BLACK FUNGUS
Mucormycosis is a severe, fatal, opportunistic fungal infection. History of diabetes, longer intensive care unit stay, overuse of steroids, oxygen therapy are the significant risk factors for contracting mucormycosis infection. Recently, India has closely observed a rapid surge of post covid-19 associated Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (CAROCM) in the second wave of covid. This rapid rise of CAROCM cases is attributed to the complex interplay of metabolic factors and corticosteroid therapy. Radiologists need to have a high index of suspicion for early diagnosis, which incites immediate administration of antifungal therapy. As a result of which morbidity and mortality can be significantly limited. This review aims to provide the comprehensive cross sectional imaging features of CAROCM and its complications. It also aims to study if there is any difference between CAROCM and ROCM in pre covid era which generally occurred in immunocompromised individuals. All the cases discussed in this review are microbiologically and /or histopathologically turned out ROCM with associated Covid-19 infection.
Rhino-Orbito-Cerebral Mucormycosis, Covid-19 Associated Rhino-Orbito Cerebral Mucormycosis (CAROCM), Diabetes, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computed Tomography.