Smell disorders associated with COVID-19 infection

Background: We performed a search in the PubMed databases, Web of Science, LILACS, MEDLINE, SciELO, and Cochrane Library using the keywords COVID-19, Novel coronavirus, corona, 2019-nCoV, SARS-CoV-2, ENT, nose, anosmia, hyposmia, smell, olfactory, ORL, different ENT related symptoms. We reviewed published and peer-reviewed studies that reported the ENT manifestations in COVID-19 laboratory-confirmed positive patients. Main text: Within the included 2549 COVID-19 laboratory-confirmed positive patients, smell affection was reported in 1453 patients (57%). The other reported ENT manifestations were taste disorder (49.2%), headache (42.8%), nasal blockage (26.3%), sore throat (25.7%), runny nose or rhinorrhea (21.3%), upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) (7.9%), and frequent sneezing (3.6%). Conclusion(s): Smell affection in COVID-19 is common and could be one of the red flag signs in COVID-19 infection. With a sensitivity of utilized questionnaire in smell identification, a homogenous universal well-defined COVID-19 questionnaire is needed to make the COVID-19 data collection more sensible.Copyright © 2021, The Author(s).

Septal Necrosis as Primary Presentation for Mucormycosis in Covid-19 Era

Objectives: To report unusual presentation of sinonasal mucormycosis, To emphasize on importance of MRI sequences in dealing with mucormycosis cases. Patients and Methods: We reported a case with persistent rhinological symptoms after Covid-19 recovery, presented endoscopically with necrotic eschar/crust on nasal septum with apparently normal lateral nasal mucosa. MRI T2 fat suppression revealed inflammatory process within RT pterygopalatine / infratemporal fossa territory. Endoscopic sinus surgery was done for debridement of necrotic septal nasal mucosa, exploration of RT PPF / ITF shows pus emerging from it with necrosis of posterior feeding vessel of the nose "SPA". Nasal septum is characterized by double vascularity from both side, but sudden interruption from one side could not be compensated from healthy side leading to necrosis. Conclusion: Any persistent rhinological symptoms after covid-19 infection with necrotic eschar anywhere within rhino-orbital territory should be considered as mucormycosis till prove otherwise. © 2022, Egyptian Society of Ear Nose Throat and Allied Sciences. All rights reserved.