ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of mixed oral prednisolone and intratympanic dexamethasone (ITID) injection in labyrinthitis, due to COVID 19. Methods: Seventy-five post-COVID-19 labyrinthitis patients were included. Those patients were treated with systemic oral prednisolone for two weeks and ITID. Patients who refuse ITID were ordered to continue oral prednisolone treatment. Assessment of outcome and audiometry for hearing evaluation was done 1, 2 and 4 weeks as well as 3 months post-treatment. Results: Patients in oral steroid only group were 26 patients, while patients in oral steroid and ITID group were 49 patients. In oral steroid group; 11/26 patients showed complete recovery, 3/26 had partial recovery and 12/26 not recovered. In other group; 38/46 patients had complete recovery, 6 had partial recovery and 5/49 patients not recovered. Conclusion: Combined systemic corticosteroid with ITID showed a marked improvement of post-COVID vestibular disorder and hearing loss than only using oral corticosteroid therapy.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: An association between COVID-19 and olfactory dysfunction has been noted in many patients worldwide. The olfactory adaptation process leads to an increase in intracellular calcium cation levels. Nitrilotriacetic acid trisodium salt has high selective chelation for calcium cations from olfactory mucus. The aim of this work is to test the effect of an intranasal nitrilotriacetic acid trisodium salt to lower the elevated calcium cations in COVID-19 patients with relevant symptoms of olfactory dysfunction. METHODS: Fifty-eight COVID-19 adult patients with relevant symptoms of olfactory dysfunction were enrolled in a prospective randomized controlled trial. They received a nasal spray containing either 0.9% sodium chloride or 2% nitrilotriacetic acid trisodium salt. Olfactory function was assessed before and after treatment using the Sniffin' Sticks test. Quantitative analysis of calcium cation concentration in nasal secretions was performed using a carbon paste ion-selective electrode. RESULTS: After the application of nitrilotriacetic acid trisodium salt compared to sodium chloride, a significant improvement from functional anosmia to healthy normosmia with significant decrease in calcium cation concentration was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Further collaborative research is needed to fully investigate the effect of an intranasal nitrilotriacetic acid trisodium salt in the treatment of olfactory disorders.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Olfaction Disorders , Adult , Calcium , Humans , Ions , Nitrilotriacetic Acid , Olfaction Disorders/diagnosis , Olfaction Disorders/drug therapy , Olfaction Disorders/etiology , Prospective Studies , Smell , Sodium ChlorideABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFRS) is aggressive morbidity affecting immunocompromised patients. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may allow secondary fungal disease through a propensity to cause respiratory infection by affecting the immune system leading to dysregulation and reduced numbers of T lymphocytes, CD4+T, and CD8+T cells, altering the innate immunity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence of acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFRS) in COVID-19 patients. METHODOLOGY: Data for acute invasive rhinosinusitis was obtained from the Otorhinolaryngology departments at our tertiary hospital at the period from January 2017 to December 2020. Then the risk factors of comorbid diseases and fungal types between post-COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 groups regarding the incidence of AIFRS are compared. RESULTS: Consequently, the incidence of AIFRS showed a more significant difference (P < 0.05) in post-COVID-19 patients than in non-COVID-19 especially in immunocompromised patients, diabetic, renal, and liver dysfunction patients as well as patients with risk factors of AIFRS. The most common organisms affecting patients with AIFRS are Rhizopus oryzae, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Absidia mucor. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of AIFRS is markedly prominent in post-COVID-19 patients than in those of non-COVID-19, especially in immunocompromised, diabetic, renal, and liver dysfunction patients and patients with risk factors for rhinosinusitis.