Serial MRI Findings Over Four Years in a Patient with Suspected Rhino-Orbital Mucormycosis Managed with Standalone Ayurveda Treatment: A Case Report
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70066/jahm.v14i9.2890Keywords:
Ayurvedic, Case Report, COVID-19, Mucormycosis, Orbital Diseases, Rhino-Orbital Mucormycosis, Sinusitis.Abstract
Background: Rhino-orbital mucormycosis is a potentially life-threatening invasive fungal infection that gained increased clinical significance during the COVID-19 pandemic. This case report describes the clinical and radiologic course of a possible case of post-COVID rhino-orbital mucormycosis managed with standalone Ayurvedic therapy. Clinical findings: A 60-year-old male from Surat, Gujarat, presented with right eye pain, heaviness, minimal ptosis, right-sided nasal obstruction, facial numbness, mild right facial swelling, toothache, and mobility of the upper right teeth for 7 days. He had a history of COVID-19 infection 3 weeks earlier and no known history of diabetes mellitus or hypertension. MRI of the brain, orbits, and paranasal sinuses performed on 15 May 2021 showed findings suggestive of invasive fungal sinus pathology within the mucormycosis spectrum, with early orbital extension. Intervention: The patient received a 6-month standalone Ayurvedic treatment protocol based on kledahara, krimihara, and enhancement of vyadhikshamatva. Adherence to the prescribed treatment and dietary recommendations was satisfactory. The interventions were well tolerated, with no reported treatment-related adverse events. Outcome: Symptoms gradually resolved completely. At 4-year follow-up, the patient remained asymptomatic. Follow-up MRI findings suggested healing, with no clinical evidence of disease recurrence, with residual chronic osteomyelitic changes. Conclusion: This case documents the long-term clinical and radiological course of a possible rhino-orbital mucormycosis case following standalone Ayurveda therapy. While the observed clinical improvement and absence of recurrence over 4 years are noteworthy, causality cannot be established from a single case. Further prospective clinical and mechanistic studies are required to evaluate the potential role of Ayurveda in selected cases.
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