Sinonasal Findings on Paranasal Computed Tomography in Patients Presenting with Facial Pain

Background: Facial pain is one of the common complaints in otolaryngology. Patients often self-diagnose facial pain as "sinusitis". The sinonasal source of facial pain and headache could be one of the possible etiologies, which needs to be confirmed by nasal endoscopy or CT scan. Aim: This study aimed to detect the frequency of variations and pathological findings in the sinonasal region of patients presenting with facial pain and sinonasal symptoms by PNS CT imaging. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in a tertiary referral hospital where consecutive patients presenting to the otorhinolaryngology clinic with facial pain and at least one of the sinonasal symptoms, including nasal obstruction, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, reduction or loss of smell, and postnasal discharge, were included. For evaluation of facial pain, a paranasal sinus CT scan in coronal view was performed and analyzed by an otolaryngologist. Results: A total of 64 patients including 27 males (42%) and 37 females (57.8%) were included. The average age was 35.5±10.5. Most patients experienced bilateral facial pain (78.1%.). The most common location of pain was the forehead (76.6%). Fifteen patients (23.4%) had acute pain (<12 weeks) while 49 (76.6%) experienced chronic pain (>12 weeks). Cold weather was the most common triggering factor in 29 patients (45.3%). The most common sinonasal symptom was posterior nasal discharge (in 42 patients, 65.6%). A minority of patients, 8 (12.5%), had evidence of rhinosinusitis (acute or chronic). Ethmoid sinus was the most frequently involved sinus (9.3%), and sphenoid and frontal sinuses were the least commonly involved. 2 patients (3.1%) had unilateral complete opacification of the maxillary sinus. Conclusion: Sinusitis was not the most common cause of facial pain in the present study, even in the presence of sinonasal symptoms. The definitive diagnosis of facial pain warrants confirmation by complementary imaging before starting therapy

Chronic or Recurrent Invasive Fungal Sinusitis after COVID-19 Infection

Background: During the COVID-19 epidemic, we have witnessed numerous manifestations and complications after contracting this disease. One of these complications in patients with COVID-19 is the increased risk of invasive fungal infections due to the suppression of the immune system caused by the disease or due to the use of suppressive drugs such as corticosteroids. Case presentation: Here we report three cases of invasive fungal sinusitis after contracting COVID-19 with recurrence after primary treatment and the measures taken for these patients. Discussion: Invasive fungal sinusitis with involvement of orbit or brain is a known complication in COVID-19 patients especially in diabetics. Recurrence of manifestations of fungal infection after primary treatment and hospital discharge may be related to uncontrolled underlying disease and residual fungal infection especially in necrotic soft tissue or bone. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and management with antifungal drugs and surgical debridement and also close follow up after discharge from hospital is essential for treatment and achieving higher survival in patients with invasive fungal sinusitis

Olfactory and gustatory manifestations in hospitalized patients with COVID-19

Background: Pulmonary involvement is the main clinical and imaging feature of the novel corona virus disease (COVID-19). However, some patients present with upper airway symptoms. Aim: In this study, we report upper respiratory manifestations, specifically focusing on smell and taste disorders in COVID-19. Methods: We performed this cross-sectional prospective study in patients admitted to Masih Daneshvari Hospital, a tertiary referral center in Tehran, Iran, with severe COVID-19 as documented by the polymerase chain reaction assay. Results: We included 268 hospitalized patients, 183 (68.3%) men and 85 (31.7%) women. The average age was 52.8±16.4. The sinonasal symptoms included nasal obstruction (44 [16.4%]), rhinorrhea (31 [11.5%]), sneeze (33 [12.3%]), headache (77 [28.6%]), facial pain (12 [4.5%]), associated with hypogeusia (65 [24.2%]) and olfactory dysfunction (90 [33.5%]). In 35 (38.9%) patients with olfactory symptoms, change in the smell was the sole initial manifestation of COVID-19. On logistic regression, the relationship between the olfactory symptoms and headache (p=0.002), nasal obstruction (p=0.0001) and sneeze (p=0.018) were statistically significant. Conclusion: We report a considerable prevalence of olfactory and gustatory symptoms in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Not infrequently, these symptoms were the sole initial presenting symptoms in the course COVID-19. During the current pandemic, we suggest that presence of these symptoms should mandate expedited screening for COVID-19, isolation and close monitoring of the patients for evolution of the clinical course

Evaluating Patients with Olfactory Dysfunction after COVID-19 Infection by Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders-Negative Statements

Background: The number of patients with COVID-19-induced olfactory dysfunction has consistently increased since the onset of the pandemic. Since a considerable proportion of these patients have olfactory dysfunction for a relatively long period of time, their quality of life (QOL) may considerably be impacted as a result. Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the adverse effects of olfactory dysfunction on QOL in patients with COVID-19-induced hyposmia or anosmia. Methods: The data were obtained via self-reported online questionnaire in individuals who met the inclusion criteria. The questionnaire included demographics, olfactory status and Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders-Negative Statements (QOD-NS). Results: Among1531 participants, 1072 individuals met the inclusion criteria, with 588 (54.85%) having hyposmia and 484 (45.15%) anosmia. Average age was 35.7 in the hyposmic group and 34.5 in the anosmic group. Concurrent hypogeusia/ageusia was reported in 398 (67.7%) of cases with hyposmia and in 346 (71.5%) of participants with anosmia. Lack of enjoyment of eating food was the most negative effect in both hyposmic and anosmic groups, followed by annoyance when eating food and a continuous awareness of the olfactory problem. The mean QOD-NS score was 20.5±10.2 in the hyposmic group and 23.3±10.4 in the anosmic group, demonstrating significant adverse impact on QOL. Conclusion: Persistent olfactory dysfunction in patients with COVID-19 has adverse effects on QOL. Early diagnosis and treatment of olfactory dysfunction may be crucial in limiting the adverse impact on QOL by psychological and nutritional support and olfactory rehabilitation

Comparing the Effect of Oral Clonidine and Tranexamic Acid on Bleeding and Surgical Field Quality during Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Introduction: Bleeding during functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is an important issue for both anesthesiologists and surgeons as it can affect the safety and efficiency of the procedure. We compared the efficacy of tranexamic acid (TXA) and clonidine in reducing blood loss and improving surgical field visualization during FESS.   Materials and Methods: In a double-blind, randomized, clinical trial, 52 patients, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status 1–2, aged 13–75 years, suffering from rhinosinusitis with or without polyposis, and who were candidates for FESS, were enrolled. The first group received intravenous TXA 15 mg/kg diluted in 100 ml normal saline, administered during 10-min infusion after induction. In the second group, 0.2 mg oral clonidine was given 1 to 1.5 hours before surgery. Duration of surgery, hemoglobin level, heart rate, blood pressure, and quality of surgical field based on Boezzart's scale and surgeon satisfaction based on Likert's scale were recorded in both groups.   Results: In total, 52 patients, 27 (51.9%) males and 25 (48.07%) females were studied. Twenty-two (42.3%) and 30 (57.7%) were in the TXA and clonidine groups, respectively. The mean pre- and post-surgical hemoglobin level showed no meaningful difference between the two groups. The same result was obtained for blood pressure and heart rate at different time points (P>0.05). Mean anesthesia time (P=0.859), mean surgical time (P=0.880), surgeon's satisfaction of the surgical field (P=0.757) and surgical field quality at different time points revealed no significant difference between the two groups.   Conclusion: Premedication with oral clonidine and intravenous TXA has the same effect on bleeding during FESS, surgical field visualization, and surgeon satisfaction

Histopathologic Findings of Olfactory Mucosa in COVID-19 Patients

Background: Olfactory manifestations are common findings during the course of COVID-19, while exact physiopathology is not known Aim: We review histological changes of the nasal olfactory mucosa in COVID-19 non-survivors who died in the ICU. Methods: Sampling was done within 1 hour of death under direct vision. Specimens were taken medial to the middle turbinate in the cribriform area and embedded in paraffin blocks and stained by haematoxylin and eosin. Results: The most frequent histologic finding was the infiltration of inflammatory cells mostly comprised of lymphocytes. Inflammatory infiltration of mucosa was seen in all 11 patients with ulceration in 9 cases and neuritis in 3 cases.  Conclusion: Inflammatory infiltration of olfactory mucosa may be associated with smell manifestations. Further histological studies will clarify the role of the nasal mucosa in the physiopathology of COVID-19 especially olfactory involvement

Transient 18FDG-avid hilar lymph node on PET/CT imaging in asymptomatic COVID-19

The most common features of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia on chest computed tomography imaging are ground glass opacity and consolidation. Mediastinal and hilar lymph node enlargement are less frequently observed. Herein, we present an unexpected finding of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-avid hilar lymph node in an asymptomatic patient with COVID-19, and show that this is a transient phenomenon, subsiding on a follow-up FDG-PET/CT within 10 days

The Effect of Using the Surgical Mask on the Status of Cerebral Oxygen Saturation and End-Tidal Carbon Dioxide in Health Care Workers

Background: With the outbreak of the new coronavirus (SARS-COV-2), one of the challenges ahead has been to control the prevalence of the disease in the world. However, because the main way the virus enters the host is through the respiratory tract, the use of a mask is more necessary than in other cases. The medical staff who are in contact with these patients in closed environments in the operating room and other places are forced to use the mask continuously to prevent infection. Aim: Considering the necessity of using a mask in the prevalence of COVID 19, especially in the medical staff and the possible effects of this use on tissue oxygen and exhaled carbon dioxide, the present study investigates the effect of using a mask on health care. the present study investigates the effect of using a mask on health care. Methods: Twenty healthy members of the medical staff (staff working at Masih Daneshvari Hospital in Tehran) entered the study voluntarily according to the inclusion criteria. Everyone wore a mask for 2 hours a day. Brain oxygen delivery percentage was measured using cerebral oximetry and petCO2 with capnogram at 0, 60 and 180 minutes. Demographic information of participants about the age, sex and underlying diseases were also recorded in a pre-prepared questionnaire. Independent t-test, paired t-test and chi-square were used to compare the clinical features of the participants. P-value less than 0.05 was considered to show statistical significance. Results: The average of petCO2 in time 2 was significantly higher than time 1 and zero (P=0.001). Likewise, the average petCO2 factor at time one is significantly higher than at time zero. The relationship between BMI and changes in the studied indices shows that the left cerebral oxygenation factor, at times 0-60’ and 30’-60’ and also the right cerebral oxygenation factor at times 0’-60’, have a direct and significant relationship with BMI. Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, it can be said that the use of surgical masks has significantly increased petCO2 in individuals, while the Pao2 index in some individuals has been associated with a downward trend