This study aimed to determine the patient demographics, risk factors, which include comorbidities, medications used to treat COVID-19, and presenting symptoms and signs, and the management outcome of COVID-19-associated invasive fungal sinusitis. A retrospective, propensity score-matched, comparative study was conducted at a tertiary care center, involving 124 patients with invasive fungal sinusitis admitted between April 2021 and September 2021, suffering from or having a history of COVID-19 infection. Among the 124 patients, 87 were male, and 37 were female. A total of 72.6% of patients received steroids, while 73.4% received antibiotics, and 55.6% received oxygen during COVID-19 management. The most common comorbidities were diabetes mellitus (83.9%) and hypertension (30.6%). A total of 92.2% had mucor, 16.9% had aspergillus, 12.9% had both, and one patient had hyalohyphomycosis on fungal smear and culture. The comparative study showed the significant role of serum ferritin, glycemic control, steroid use, and duration in COVID-19-associated invasive fungal disease (p < 0.001). Headache and facial pain (68, 54.8%) were the most common symptoms. The most involved sinonasal site was the maxillary sinus (90, 72.6%). The overall survival rate at the three-month follow-up was 79.9%. COVID-19-related aggressive inflammatory response, uncontrolled glycemic level, and rampant use of steroids are the most important predisposing factors in developing COVID-19-associated invasive fungal sinusitis.

Introduction Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea is the leakage of CSF through nasal cavity, due to abnormal communication between the arachnoid membrane and nasal mucosa. Middle-age (fourth to fifth decade) group, female gender, and obesity (body mass index > 40) are the most commonly reported risk-factors for this rare entity. In this study, we present our single center experience of spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea discussing important clinicoradiological aspects in preoperative evaluation and nuances in the endoscopic repair technique. Material and Methods A retrospective study conducted for 43 spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea patients admitted between Jan 2011 to Jan 2018 at our tertiary care center. All patients underwent endoscopic repair of the defect depending upon their site of leak. Results Mean age in our study was 36.7 ± 12.3 years (range: 9–62 years). Average BMI in males was found lower (28.7) as compared with females (32).Most common site of CSF leak was cribriform plate (n = 32, 74.4%) and Planum was found to be the least common site (n = 1, 2.3%) of CSF leak.Intraoperatively, 23 (53.5%) patients showed high-flow leak. Intrathecal injection of fluorescein dye was used to identify the site of CSF leakage in 15 cases (34.8%). The overall success rate of primary endoscopic repair in our study was 95.3%. Conclusion Spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea occurs secondary to elevated intracranial pressure, with a predilection for obese females in fourth to fifth decade. Individualized tailored surgical approach depending upon the site, size, and flow-variety of the defect forms the cornerstone of management.

Objectives This study was aimed to understand the usefulness of transarterial angiography and embolization in management of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) and to apply the information obtained to stage the disease, select appropriate surgical approach, predict intraoperative bleeding, and prognosticate the disease. Design This study represents a retrospective review of the patients of JNA with major focus on transarterial angiography and embolization findings and its clinical and surgical implications. Setting The study conducted at a tertiary-care super-specialty referral center. Participants Forty-two patients who had undergone transarterial angiography and embolization followed by surgery over the period of 5 years from July 2015 till February 2019 were participated in this study. Main Outcome Measures Tumor vascular pattern based on transarterial angiography, staging of the disease based on extent and vascular supply, surgical approach selected, and prognosticating the disease were determined from this study. Conclusion Transarterial angiography with embolization becomes a prudent preoperative investigation for management of JNA. It provides a complete three-dimensional map of the tumor with stage-specific vascular pattern, reduces vascularity of the tumor, and predicts the sites from where bleeding can occur intra operatively. Thus, it helps in choosing the appropriate surgical approach aiding in complete tumor removal with minimal bleeding.

Background Nasal packing after an endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) is a routine practice. There is a very urgent need for a level-I recommendation pertaining to the necessity of these packs and, if required, then the timing of its removal. However, the opponents of this practice mention its various disadvantages, among which infection is the most important. In our study, we have evaluated the bacteriological profile of the nasal packs, following endoscopic anterior skull base surgery. Materials and Methods Thirty consecutive cases (2017–18) of anterior skull base pathologies operated by EEA were included, and preoperative nasal swab and postoperative period, the nasal packs were sent for microbiological culture. The colony of bacteria grew, and clinical condition, histopathology and demographic profile of the patients were noted. Results Of the 30 patients, 40% (n = 12) showed an increase in nasal bacterial flora after packing, with methicillin-sensitive coagulase negative Streptococcus (MSCNS) in three patients, Escherichia fecalis (E. fecalis) in three patients, and methicillin-resistant coagulase negative Streptococcus (MRCNS) in two patients. Other rare organisms grew, including Acinetobacter baumanni with E. fecalis, Acinetobacter baumanni with MRCNS, Citrobacter koseni, and Escherichia fecium (E. fecium) with MRCNS and MRSA in one patient each. Conclusion Packing increases the bacterial load of the nasal cavity. This bacterial flora can be a potential source of meningitis. We advocate that packing should be avoided, and if at all required, should be removed within 3 days. A routine practice of nasal swab in the preoperative period and culture of the packs may give information on the possible organism that may cause meningitis and the appropriate antibiotic sensitivity of the organism.

Objective The aim of the study is to determine the surgical candidacy and nuances of skull base paraganglioma surgery in the era of radiotherapy. Methods This was a retrospective observational study conducted in patients who presented with skull base paragangliomas between January 2017 and December 2019. Primary data, including indication for surgery, the approach used, the extent of resection, complications, and postoperative lower cranial nerve status were studied. Results A total of 21 cases of skull base paragangliomas were analyzed, including seven cases of tympanic paraganglioma, 10 cases of jugular foramen paraganglioma, three cases of multiple paragangliomas, and one case of vagal paraganglioma. Indications for surgery were young age, bleeding from ear, neck mass with upper aerodigestive pressure symptoms, lower cranial nerve paralysis, and patients with intracranial pressure symptoms. Total excision was done in 11 patients, near-total excision in five patients, subtotal in three patients, and surgery was not done in two patients. Facial nerve paralysis was the most common complication observed, followed by bleeding and flap necrosis. Radiotherapy was considered as adjuvant treatment wherever indicated. Conclusion A thorough knowledge and understanding of the pathophysiology of the skull base paragangliomas and its management strategies can help to achieve excellent results in terms of tumor clearance and reduction in complications. A multidisciplinary team approach and meticulous skull base surgical techniques have a significant role to play in the management of paragangliomas, especially in developing countries where availability of radiosurgery is still a challenge.