Facial Nerve Palsy in COVID-19-Associated Mucormycosis Patients: A Case Series

Abstract

Sinonasal mucormycosis is a deadly fungal illness that primarily affects diabetics who are uncontrolled. Numerous cranial nerves can be involved; however, facial nerve palsy has only been observed in a few cases. The main objective of this research is to highlight facial nerve involvement as a clinical sign of sinonasal mucormycosis. Nasal stuffiness, headaches, eye pain, orbital edema, ophthalmoplegia, and vision loss are common symptoms in these mucormycosis patients. The study was done in the Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Raipur, India. Nevertheless, 17 patients with facial nerve palsy (lower motor nerve palsy) and sinonasal mucormycosis arrived at our department. All patients were diabetic, and a majority of patients got Schirmer's test positive with severe stage. In the case of mucormycosis, facial nerve palsy is an unusual but noteworthy symptom. This could be misinterpreted as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), causing the therapy to be delayed. This is critical as early identification, surgical debridement, and adequate therapy of the underlying metabolic imbalance, as well as amphotericin B, are critical for a successful treatment outcome in mucormycosis.