What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a retrospective review comparing adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy in six patients with rhinocerebral mucormycosis to seven cases treated without it, all receiving surgical debridement and amphotericin B.
What They Found
Of the six patients receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy, two died, while four of the seven cases not receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy died. This suggests a potential survival benefit with adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen, which also had minimal adverse effects.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadian patients with rhinocerebral mucormycosis, adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy could potentially improve outcomes when combined with standard treatments. Patients should discuss this promising but still investigational modality with their care team.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
The primary limitation of this study is its retrospective design and the small number of patients involved.