Primary odontogenic onset invasive mucormycosis-an under recognized clinical entity

The primary source of facial mucormycosis is through inhalation of fungal sporangiospores, resulting in invasive disease in paranasal sinuses. However, dental onset mucormycosis has not been well documented in literature. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with odontogenic onset mucormycosis.

From a large cohort of mucormycosis involving the face between July 2020 and October 2021, we selected patients who had dental symptoms at onset and predominant alveolar involvement with little to no paranasal sinus disease as shown by baseline imaging. All patients had a confirmed diagnosis of mucormycosis through histopathology, with or without the growth of Mucorales in fungal culture.

Out of 256 patients with invasive mucormycosis of the face, 8.2% (21 patients) had odontogenic onset. Uncontrolled diabetes was a common risk factor, affecting 71.4% (15/21) of the patients, while recent COVID-19 illness was noted in 80.9% (17/21) of patients. The median duration of symptoms at presentation was 37 days (IQR, 14-80 days). The most common symptoms were dental pain with loose teeth (100%), facial swelling (66.7% [14/21]), pus discharge (28.6% [6/21]), and gingival and palatal abscess (28.6% [6/21]). Extensive osteomyelitis was found in 61.9% (13/21) of the patients, and 28.6% (6/21) had oroantral fistulas. The mortality rate was low, at 9.5% (2/21), with only 9.5% (2/21) of the patients having brain extension and 14.2% (3/21) in the orbit.

This study suggests that odontogenic onset invasive mucormycosis may be a separate clinical entity with its own distinct clinical features and prognosis.