BLACK FUNGUS-A MISNOMER FOR RHINO MUCORMYCOSIS-AN EXPERIENCE AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL.

Objective: To find out presenting complaints of mucormycosis in the nose and paranasal sinuses and its treatment Material and Methods: This case series was conducted in the Department of ENT, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, and Abaseen Medical Centre Peshawar, Pakistan, from May 2020 to March 2021. A total of 12 patients were included. Among them, 08 patients were admitted in Khyber Teaching Hospital, and 04 patients were treated at Abaseen Hospital, Peshawar. In addition, literature was reviewed, and results compiled. Results: Among 12 cases, 3 (25%) were females, and 9 (75%) were males. The age range was 55 to 80 years. All patients were diabetic Type 2. At the time of presentation, 35% of patients presented with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus in whom immediate medical opinion was sought. Before doing surgery, their blood glucose levels was within normal limits. In 83.3 % of cases, there was complete nasal obstruction, while in 17%, there was partial nasal obstruction. There were right maxillary sinusitis in 8 (66.6%) cases, and in 4 (33.33%) patients, there was left maxillary sinusitis. In 2 Patients, all of the paranasal sinuses were involved except frontal sinuses. Nearly all the patients had severe headache as well. Conclusion: Mucormycosis was commonly seen in elderly diabetic patients, mostly involving the nose and paranasal sinuses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]