Question

A post-COVID patient, who is a known diabetic, develops unilateral facial pain and loosening of teeth. Which investigation would you do to confirm the diagnosis of this patient?

• A. MRI
• B. Biopsy with histopathologic examinatio
• C. Serum ferritin
• D. HbA1c

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

In this scenario, the patient is a post-COVID individual with diabetes who has developed unilateral facial pain and loosening of teeth. These symptoms may suggest the development of a condition known as mucormycosis, commonly referred to as the "black fungus infection," which can occur in immunocompromised patients, including those with diabetes and recent COVID-19 infection.

To confirm the diagnosis of mucormycosis, the most definitive investigation is a biopsy with histopathologic examination. This involves taking a tissue sample from the affected area and examining it under a microscope to identify the presence of fungal elements. This procedure provides direct evidence of the fungal infection and is considered the gold standard for diagnosis.

While other options like MRI can help in evaluating the extent of the disease and serum ferritin or HbA1c can provide supportive information regarding the systemic status of the patient, they are not definitive for diagnosing mucormycosis.

Therefore, the correct investigation to confirm the diagnosis is:

Biopsy with histopathologic examination