Evaluation of risk factors, clinico-radiographic presentations of COVID-associated mucormycosis in the maxillofacial region reporting to a tertiary care dental facility

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence of risk factors associated with COVID-associated mucormycosis (CAM) in the maxillofacial region with emphasis on clinical and radiological characteristics of the disease reporting to the dentists. METHODS: Archival records of the patients diagnosed with rhino-cerebral mucormycosis through histopathology or culture, were screened and 266 records were included. These records were divided into three groups-previously diabetic (PD, n = 122), recently diagnosed diabetic (RD, n = 105) and non-diabetic (ND, n = 39). All the records were evaluated and compared among the three groups for the duration of presentation, history of co-existing medical conditions, the association of treatment given during COVID-19, and the clinical and radiographic presentations of the disease. RESULTS: The results confirmed uncontrolled diabetes mellitus as the major risk factor for the disease. The prevalence of steroid administration was lower in our study in contrast to previous literature. The risk factors and treatment rendered during COVID-19 did not differ significantly among the three groups (p > 0.05). The findings indicate that the disease was milder and progressed more slowly in the ND group, both clinically and radiographically, and it had close resemblance to odontogenic infection. CONCLUSION: Patients with early CAM mimicked the odontogenic infection and were more likely to report in a dental setup. Hence, a multidisciplinary and holistic management approach is necessary.