Diabetic versus non-diabetic rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis

To compare the characteristics and outcomes of rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) in diabetic versus non-diabetic patients.

It is a retrospective comparative case series on consecutive patients with biopsy-proven ROCM. Systemic and ophthalmic manifestations, imaging, management and final outcomes were compared between diabetic versus non-diabetic ROCMs referred the eye clinic of a university-based hospital (2008-2016).

Forty-three diabetics (55 eyes) with mean age of 54.6 (SD:12.5) years and 20 non-diabetics (24 eyes) with mean age of 57.5 (SD:13.8) years were enrolled. Patients' survival was observed in 51% of diabetics and 70% of non-diabetics (P = .1). The mortality rate was 7.4 times (CI95%: 1.85-29.96) higher in diabetic ROCM treated with non-liposomal amphotericin (P = .01). Exenteration did not significantly change the mortality rate in either group. Globe survival was 40% and 50% in diabetics and non-diabetics (P = 1), respectively. Vision survival was observed in 20% of diabetics and 37% of non-diabetics (P = .2).

Patients', globe and vision survivals were not different between diabetic and non-diabetic patients with ROCM. They were 51%, 40% and 20% in diabetic and 70%, 50% and 37% in non-diabetic ROCM.