ABSTRACT
Aim To study the various presentations and manifestations of complicated rhinosinusitis in COVID era- ranging from bacterial rhino sinusitis to invasive fungal rhino sinusitis. Methods Design-A retrospective observational study was carried out from March 2020 to May 2021. Setting-Tertiary care hospital subjects—all COVID-positive patients who had paranasal sinus involvement. Methods-Patients were evaluated based on their symptomatology profile. Fungal stains and culture were carried out for all. They underwent Magnetic resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography scan on case-to-case basis, apart from routine nasal endoscopy. All were managed both medically and surgically depending upon their diagnosis. The natural course including outcomes, was studied, documented and analyzed. Results Out of 496 patients presenting with sinonasal disease, 126 were COVID-positive, 16 patients had complicated rhino sinusitis, of which 4 patients had complicated rhinosinusitis with intraorbital, intracranial or combined complications. All patients were managed successfully with combined medical and surgical approach. Twelve patients had invasive mucormycosis with overall mortality rate of 37%. Conclusion Complicated sinusitis was encountered in COVID-positive patients either when they were being actively treated for COVID-19 or as part of post-COVID sequalae. Though rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis constituted the major disease burden in such patients but the possibility of bacterial rhino sinusitis with or without complications must also be kept in mind while evaluating such patients. We must remember every complicated rhinosinusitis in COVID-positive patient may not be mucor and manage appropriately.
ABSTRACT
When COVID-19 caused worldwide cancellations of summer research immersion programs in 2020, Mayo Clinic rallied to create an alternate virtual experience called Summer Foundations in Research (SFIR). SFIR was designed not only to ensure the continuance of science pathways training for undergraduate scientists but also to support undergraduate mental wellbeing, given the known pandemic stressors. A total of 170 participants took part in the program and were surveyed pre-post for outcomes in biomedical research career knowledge, biomedical research career interest, research skills confidence, and three dimensions of mental wellbeing. Knowledge of and interest in careers involving biomedical research rose significantly following participation in SFIR. The participants' mean research skills confidence also rose between 0.08 and 1.32 points on a 7-point scale across 12 items from the Clinical Research Appraisal Inventory. Success in science pathways support was accompanied by positive shifts in participant mental wellbeing. Measurable decreases in stress (Perceived Stress Scale, p < 0.0001) accompanied gains in resilience (Brief Resilience Scale, p < 0.0001) and life satisfaction (Satisfaction with Life Scale, p = 0.0005). Collectively, the data suggest that core objectives of traditional in-person summer research programming can be accomplished virtually and that these programs can simultaneously impact student wellbeing. This theoretical framework is particularly salient during COVID-19, but the increased accessibility of virtual programs such as SFIR can continue to bolster science education pathways long after the pandemic is gone.