Emergency visits of otorhinolaryngology department during COVID-19 pandemic, Saudi Arabia, 2020

Aim: In this study, we aimed to assess the frequency of patient emergency visits to the Otorhinolaryngology (ORL) Department during coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic and compare it with that before coronavirus COVID-19. Material(s) and Method(s): A retrospective comparative study was performed at Al-Al-Hada Armed Forces Hospital, Taif (Saudi Arabia), and data regarding various diagnoses of ORL cases were collected from medical records of patients who visited/admitted to ORL-ED during the lockdown (Group 1) and those who visited/ admitted to ORL-ED before the pandemic (Group 2). Result(s): Group 2 had a significantly higher percentage of cases who had no ENT-related disorders, hypertrophy inferior turbinate (HIT), stridor, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), epistaxis and who had no complications, had general ENT, foreign body ingestion-aspiration, trauma, otology and who had more than one disorder and Group 1 had a significantly higher percentage of those having nasal obstruction, tonsil hypertrophy grade 3, had emergency head and neck cancer, had deep neck space infections and who had complicated. Discussion(s): During coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic period, cold ENT visits were much less and foreign body ingestion remains the highest reason for ENT visits. Additionally, telemedicine has been shown to be effective in reducing ED visits during the pandemic period. Furthermore, older cases with chronic ENT problems who had regular follow-up ENT visits were less likely to visit ED during the pandemic.Copyright © 2022, Derman Medical Publishing. All rights reserved.

Comprehensive evaluation of otorhinolaryngological symptoms in COVID-19 patients

Introduction: The aim of this study is to comprehensively evaluate the incidence and natural course of otorhinolaryngological symptoms of COVID-19 infection and its relations to each other and patient's demographics. Method(s): This is a prospective study conducted on symptomatic adult patients proven to be infected with COVID-19. Detailed history was taken from each patient including onset of symptoms. Symptoms were followed up tightly. We focus on otorhinolaryngological (ORL) symptoms and their duration and onset in relation to other symptoms. Data were collected and analyzed in detail. Result(s): Six-hundred eighty-six patients were included in the study, their age ranged from 19-75 years old, and of them 55.1% were males. Cough was found in 53.1% of cases followed by sore throat in 45.8%, anosmia/ hyposmia in 42.3%, headache in 42%, rhinorrhea in 19.5%, dry mouth in 7.6%, globus in 6.1%, epistaxis in 4.4%, and hearing loss in 0.6%. In non-ORL symptoms, fever was found in 54.2%, malaise in 55.1%, dyspnea in 49.3%, and diarrhea in 27.2%. The first symptom was anosmia in 15.7% of cases, sore throat in 6.1 %, cough in 7.9%, and headache in 13.4% of cases. Fever was the first symptom in 22.7%, malaise in 25.1%, and diarrhea in 6.4%. Headache occurred for 5.5 +/- 2 days, anosmia/hyposmia 3 to > 30 days, sore throat 4.1 +/- 1.2 days, rhinorrhea 4.3 +/- 1.1, cough 7.4 +/- 2.5 days, fever 4.7 +/- 2 days, and malaise 6.5 +/- 2.4 days. The cluster of COVID-19-related symptoms showed nine principal components. Conclusion(s): Otorhinolaryngological symptoms are main symptoms in COVID-19 infection, and they should be frequently evaluated to detect suspected cases especially in pauci-symptomatic patients and to properly manage infected patients.Copyright © 2022, The Author(s).

Sarcoidosis-Associated Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura and Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

Purpose of study A 32-years old male with known multi-system sarcoidosis in remission for 5 years off treatment presented to the emergency room with complaints of generalized weakness, hematemesis, epistaxis, and bruises. Physical examination was notable for petechiae, ecchymosis along with papules and plaques suggestive of active sarcoid skin lesions on his extremities. Laboratory workup was significant for thrombocytopenia 3000/uL, acute kidney injury with sub-nephrotic proteinuria. Peripheral blood smear did not show evidence of hemolysis and direct Coombs test was negative. Infectious workup including COVID-19, HIV, and hepatitis serologies were negative. Computed Tomography (CT) of chest, abdomen, and pelvis showed mild splenomegaly and an increased number of sub-centimeter hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes. The patient was treated with dexamethasone 40 mg daily for 4 days and intravenousimmunoglobulins (IVIG-2 gm/kg) for possible Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) with improvement in platelet count to 42000/uL by day 3. His workup for AKI and sub-nephrotic proteinuria was negative apart from a positive ANA (1: 160) with low complements. The anti-phospholipid antibody panel was negative. The ACE level was markedly elevated (>80U/L). The patient could not get a renal biopsy due to severe thrombocytopenia. He was discharged but was re-admitted in 15 days for severe thrombocytopenia of 1000/uL, epistaxis, and bruising. We continued high dose steroids along with IVIG 1 gm/kg for refractory ITP with minimal response and started anti-CD20 agent (Rituximab) 375 mg/m2 weekly with thrombopoietin-receptor agonist (Eltrombopag). His platelets count improved in response to treatment and subsequent renal biopsy showed focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis along with mild interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy thought to be from long standing sarcoidosis. There was also evidence of focal arteriosclerosis with no evidence of granulomas, immune complex, complement, or IgG4 deposition. Given skin lesions, thrombocytopenia, extensive lymphadenopathy, and renal involvement with markedly elevated ACE levels the overall picture was consistent with active multi-system sarcoidosis. His platelet count increased to 177,000/uL at the time of discharge. Currently, the patient is on slow steroid taper along with Eltrombopag 25 mg every other day without any recurrence of his symptoms so far. Methods used We described one case of sarcoidosis with hematologic and renal involvement. Summary of results Our patient developed hematologic and renal complications approximately 6 years after being diagnosed with sarcoidosis. Initially, he did not demonstrate sufficient clinical response to IVIG and high dose steroids. However, after a course of anti-CD20 agent (Rituximab) and with the addition of thrombopoietin-receptor agonist (Eltrombopag) he showed improvement of platelet count and stabilization of the renal function. Currently, the patient is receiving maintenance therapy with Prednisone 7.5 mg daily along with Eltrombopag 25 mg twice weekly with no recurrence of ITP and stable renal function. A further decision on whether the patient needs another cycle of Rituximab will be determined by the patient's clinical course. Conclusions Highly variable manifestations of Sarcoidosis can pose a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge as can be seen from our case. ITP is a rare hematological manifestation of sarcoidosis and addition of anti-CD20 agents should be considered in refractory cases.

Outpatient Management of Epistaxis During COVID-19 to Reduce Inpatient Stay: A Quality Improvement Project.

Introduction In March 2020, new guidelines allowed patients with epistaxis to be discharged home with nasal packs in situ to reduce the risk of inpatient coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission rates. Our objective is to review how successful these new guidelines have been and whether they could be safely maintained in future practice. Methods This was a retrospective data analysis at a local tertiary ENT referral hospital. The study group consisted of patients admitted with epistaxis over one year. The "Pack and Home" criteria pathway was implemented. We reviewed this pathway six months pre- (loop 1) and six months post- (loop 2) introduction. Primary outcome measures included compliance with the "Pack and Home" criteria and length of inpatient admissions. Results A total of 131 patients required nasal packing, with 72 patients (55%) in loop 1 and 59 patients (45%) in loop 2. In loop 1, all 72 patients (100%) were admitted for inpatient care. However, in loop 2, 21 patients (36%) were discharged home with nasal packs in situ and 59 patients (64%) were admitted. Of those discharged, two patients were represented after 48 hours with rebleeding. The average total length of inpatient stay in loop 1 was significantly higher at 45.7 hours and 29.6 hours in loop 2 (p<0.05). All discharged patients attended their outpatient appointment in under three days. Conclusion The "Pack and Home" criteria can successfully identify patients who are suited for an outpatient management pathway. This could reduce surgical inpatient stay and the way we manage epistaxis.

Mortality And Morbidity Burden Of Covid-19 Infection In Left Ventricular Assist Device Patients

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in more than 6.1 million deaths and more than 480 million infections worldwide (1). Left ventricular assist device patients (LVAD) with their multiple co-morbidities are at high risk for morbidity and mortality from the COVID-19 infection. Few studies and case reports demonstrating the outcomes of COVID-19 infection in LVAD patients have been published, with the most recent study in 2021 (2-4). However, none of these studies spanned the entire stretch of the pandemic. Hypothesis: : COVID-19 infection would result in significant mortality and multi-system complications among patients with an LVAD. Method(s): IRB approval was obtained for our retrospective cohort study. 225 LVAD patients across two large centers in Texas, USA were screened for COVID-19 infection from December 1, 2019 to February 28, 2022. 68 events of COVID-19 infection were identified among 64 patients. One patient was excluded due to false positive test and 3 patients were infected twice and counted as separate events. Outcomes including mortality, respiratory failure, bleeding, and thromboembolic complications were assessed. Result(s): Baseline characteristics and results are summarized in Table 1. 51% of the patients needed hospitalization or emergency department visit for COVID infection. Five patients were intubated (7.4%). 6 patients developed chronic hypoxic respiratory failure requiring outpatient supplemental oxygen. 4 patients suffered from ventricular tachycardias while three other patients had Implantable cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) shocks during COVID infection. 9 patients had epistaxis or gastrointestinal bleeding within 1 month of testing COVID positive. One HM2 patient had confirmed LVAD outflow cannula thrombus on CT heart and another patient with HeartWare had confirmed inflow cannula thrombus requiring emergent exchange to HM3 due to pump stoppage. Three patients suffered a stroke (5%). No events of pulmonary emboli or DVTs were noted. The mortality rate among this cohort was 14% (9 out of 64 patients). Four patients died during the same hospitalization. 33% had HM2 and 67% had HM3 LVADs, making a mortality rate of 37% (3 out of 8) for HM2 patients and 9% for HM3 (6 out of 55). 88% were males, 56% were African Americans, 67% had NICM, and 78% had at least moderate RV dysfunction at baseline. Conclusion(s): COVID-19 infection resulted in significant mortality and complications including stroke, pump thrombus, arrhythmias, respiratory failure, and bleeding events among LVAD patients.Copyright © 2022

Phytomedicines for Covid-19: Opportunities and Obstacles

COVID-19 is a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 that can trigger respiratory tract infection. Due to its tendency to affect the upper respiratory tract (sinuses, nose and throat) or lower respiratory tract (windpipe and lungs), this disease is life-threatening and affects a large number of populations. This virus's unique and complex nature enhances the scope to look into the direction of herbal plants and their constituents for its prevention and treatment. The herbal remedies can have preventive as well as therapeutic actions. This review focuses on various aspects of using herbal medicines for COVID-19, as herbal constituents may also have adverse effects. Various studies revealed that some medicinal plants show life-threatening adverse effects, so selecting plants, and their related studies should be appropriate and strategic. This article includes various factors that should be considered before herbal drug use in COVID-19 patients. These are clinical trials, safety, molecular mechanism, and self-medication, which have been elaborated. This article also discusses the targets of covid-19 and different coronavirus strains. As before, treatment diagnosis of the disease is very important. Various patents have been filed and granted for its proper diagnosis so that its treatment can be easy.Copyright © 2022 Society of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research. All rights reserved.

Prevalence and Course of Covid-19 in Patients with Congenital Bleeding Disorders in Russia

Introduction: Published data on the course of COVID-19 in patients with congenital bleeding disorders (CBDs) is limited. There are questions about howCOVID-19 affects the course of CBDs and, conversely, how CBDs affect the course of coronavirus infection? Some authors suggest that patients with CBDs to be less severely affected by COVID-19. The aim of the study: analysis of the prevalence and course of COVID-19 in patients with CBDs in Russia. Method(s): A web-based questionnaire was developed to collect data. The survey was conducted in the period from 25.06.2022 to 31.07.2022. A cluster of 187 patients from different regions and cities of Russia were interviewed. Result(s): The average age of patients was 37 years. The survey group consisted of 144 patients with hemophilia A, 16 with hemophilia B, 24 with vonWillebrand's disease and 1 patient with factor VII deficiency. COVID-19 affected 115 (61.5%) of 187 surveyed patients and 22 (19%) patients suffered from coronavirus infection twice. Hospitalisation was required for 14 (12.3%) patients. At the beginning of the disease, 82 (71%) patients were on prophylactic treatment with the factor concentrates;11 (10%) received therapy with emicizumab, 20 (17%) received therapy with the factor concentrates on demand and 2 (1.7%) received bypass agents. During COVID-19 different types of bleeding were observed in 9 (7.8%) patients: hemarthrosis, ecchymosis, hematomas, epistaxis, menorrhagia, haemorrhoid bleeding. Due to COVID-19 the blood coagulation parameters were monitored for 15 (13%) of 115 patients who had been ill. The haemostatic therapy regimen was changed in 19 (16.5%) patients. Anticoagulant therapy was received by 8 (7%) patients. There were no thrombotic cases. A change in the course of the underlying disease after COVID-19 was noted by 21 (18%) patients, of which 11 noted an increase in joint pain and 9 reported the appearance of pain in previously intact joints. Discussion/Conclusion: The absence of thrombotic complications in patients with CBDs and COVID-19 suggests that hypocoagulability state may be protective against COVID-19 hypercoagulability-related adverse effects. However, the aggravating condition is an increase in joint pain and the involvement of new joints possible due to both hemostatic disorders and autoimmune reaction.

Otolaryngology consultations for COVID-19 patients: A retrospective cohort study of indications, interventions, and considerations.

OBJECTIVE: To identify differences in inpatient otolaryngology consultations and interventions for patients based on COVID-19. METHODS: Records were reviewed for all patients for whom otolaryngology was consulted at a high-volume tertiary care hospital from April 30, 2020 to October 1, 2020. Demographic information, length of stay, COVID-19 status, indication for consultation, and otolaryngology interventions were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using R software. RESULTS: Bleeding composed a significantly higher proportion of otolaryngology consults in COVID-19 positive patients (28% vs. 8.4%, p<0.0001). Management of bleeding was the most common procedure performed in positive patients (n=37, 35%), and they had a higher median number of interventions performed when compared to bleeding patients who tested negative (1, IQR 1-2 vs. 1, IQR 0-1, p=0.04). COVID-19 positive patients with bleeding were more likely to expire than those with other indications for otolaryngology consultation (50% vs. 7%, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Bleeding and associated interventions comprised the predominant discrepancy between COVID-19 positive and negative patients in our cohort. We encourage routine use of simple and cost-effective methods to decrease risk of bleeding.

Providing Evidence for Dogma: Risk of Epistaxis After COVID-19 Nasal-Screening Swab.

OBJECTIVE: There is anecdotal evidence SARS-CoV-2 (COVID) RT-PCR screening nasal swabs confer an elevated epistaxis risk. We aimed to assess the association between epistaxis and exposure to a COVID nasal swab. STUDY DESIGN: A matched pairs design was used. SETTING: The study was performed in a single, integrated health care system. METHODS: All patients who received a single COVID nasal swab at our institution between April 2020 and March 2021 were included. McNemar's test was used to compare rates of epistaxis between the 7 days following the index COVID swab (hazard period), and the 7 days preceding the index COVID swab (control period). Conditional logistic regression was used to evaluate sociodemographic and clinical risk factors for epistaxis. RESULTS: A total of 827,987 participants were included, with 1047 epistaxis encounters. The prevalence of epistaxis during the hazard and control periods were 0.08% and 0.04%, respectively. Swab exposure was associated with 1.92-fold odds of epistaxis during the hazard period (95% confidence interval [1.73, 2.12]). Older age, Asian/Pacific Islander (PI) (compared to white), male sex, hypertension, prior facial trauma, and warfarin or direct-acting oral anticoagulant use were also associated with significantly increased odds of epistaxis (p ≦ 0.01). CONCLUSION: COVID nasal swabs are associated with increased odds of epistaxis. Physicians should counsel patients, particularly those at the highest risk, including a history of prior facial trauma, anticoagulants/antiplatelets, or hypertension.

An unusual presentation of malignant Invasive Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of Lung mimicking Pulmonary Renal syndrome

Background: A 54-year- old male presented to our centre with a chronic non-productive cough and breathlessness. Recent history of COVID treated and resolved few months back. He had a history of brain surgery performed five years back but details not known. Physical examination revealed no oedema and bilateral coarse creps with bronchiolar breathing. Laboratory findings indicated neutrophilic leucocytosis, elevated inflammatory markers, with elevated troponin I and D dimers. Urine analysis suggested microscopic haematuria with sediments. While 24 hour quantification revealed sub nephrotic proteinuria. As auto immune workup and vasculitis profile was negative and patient has not improved in spite of standard of therapy hence we went ahead with CT-Chest indicating ground-glass opacities in bilateral lung parenchyma and prominent interlobular/intralobular septal thickening. Then Bronchoscopy done which revealed the blood-stained secretions in the main stem bronchi and diffuse alveolar haemorrhage in bilateral bronchial segments indicating an inflammatory study, while tuberculosis diagnostic panel and infective bio fire panel in BAL was negative. Meanwhile, his repeat BAL culture suggested Carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii complex infection. As the patient did not respond to the standard of care for vasculitis. Probability considered was a small vessel vasculitis (namely Granulomatous polyangiitis) was considered due to lung manifestation involving upper respiratory tract with epistaxis, neutrophilic leucocytosis, elevated acute reactive protein, and renal manifestation including microscopic haematuria and proteinuria. However he responded poorly to conventional standard of treatment including pulse steroids and IVIG. Hence after MDT discussion we proceeded with lung biopsy which showed linear cores of lung tissue infiltrated by a malignant neoplasm and acinar pattern suggesting Invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma. Hence we went ahead with the biopsy diagnosis for the treatment plan. As he was to be started on chemotherapy, but he suddenly collapsed and went into hypotension, bradycardia, and cardiac arrest. In spite of high supports and post 4 cycles of CPR, was unable to revive and sadly succumbed to his illness. Discussion(s): In this rare case, the original diagnosis pointed to the pulmonary-renal syndrome, an autoimmune disease characterized by diffuse pulmonary haemorrhage and glomerulonephritis. However, negative autoimmune antibodies and vasculitis profile along with lung biopsy results indicated an unusual case of malignant lung adenocarcinoma presented with pulmonary renal syndrome. Conclusion(s): In cases suggesting pulmonary-renal syndromes, if autoimmune work up is negative and response is suboptimal relook the diagnosis.

Rhino-Orbital Mucormycosis in a COVID-19 Patient: A Dreadful Challenge

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2). COVID-19 infections may be associated with a wide range of bacterial and fungal co-infections. Recent studies are reporting invasive fungal infection associated with severe COVID-19. Herein, we report a case of COVID-19 rhino-orbital mucormycosis infection caused by Rhizopus sps in a 32 year old diabetic patient who was successfully managed with early aggressive debridement of infected tissue endoscopically with extended ethmoidectomy by modified Denker's approach along with orbital decompression and antifungal therapy with Liposomal Amphotericin B and Posaconazole. Serial diagnostic nasal endoscopy showed no evidence of progression of the infection. The patient was discharged on 21st day of hospitalization still on oral Posaconazole for a total of 3 months. Copyright © 2022, Kathmandu University. All rights reserved.

Randomized, Controlled Trial of Exhalation Delivery System with Fluticasone for Chronic Rhinosinusitis without Nasal Polyps

Introduction: There are no FDA-approved medications for the >20 million chronic rhinosinusitis patients without nasal polyps. The Exhalation Delivery System with Fluticasone (EDS-FLU) is an intranasal steroid in a device that delivers drug to regions above the inferior turbinate and behind the nasal valve. Method(s): In this phase 3, 24-week, randomized, controlled trial evaluating EDS-FLU versus EDS-placebo twice daily in chronic sinusitis without polyps, co-primary endpoints were combined symptom score (CSS;week 4) and average of percentages of CT-opacified volume across ethmoid/maxillary sinuses (APOV;week 24). Other outcomes included Quality-of-Life (SNOT-22, SF-36), Sleep (PSQI), and Patient-reported Global Impression of Change (PGIC). Result(s): Baseline scores suggest moderate-severe disease: mean CSS=6.0;APOV=62.0%. Both EDS-FLU doses [186microg (n=74) and 372microg (n=74)] significantly reduced both symptoms and sinus opacification versus EDS-placebo (n=75): CSS least-square (LS) mean change, EDS-placebo, -0.81;EDS-FLU 186microg, -1.54 (p<.05);EDS-FLU 372microg, -1.74, (p<.001);APOV LS mean change +1.19, -7.00 (p<.001), -5.14 (p<.01), respectively. EDS-FLU (n=145) vs EDS-placebo (n=75) also significantly improved secondary measures at Week 24 including SNOT-22 (LS mean -17.5 vs -8.7, p=.001);SF-36v2 (LS Mean PCS 4.9 vs 1.8, p=.002);PSQI Global score (LS mean -1.54 vs -.33;p<.001);and PGIC (60% vs 25% much/very much improved;p<.001). Adverse events (>=3% of patients and >EDS-placebo) were COVID-19, epistaxis, headache, and depression. Conclusion(s): EDS-FLU is the first and only drug to show improvement in a phase 3 trial in both symptoms and sinus opacification in chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps. Copyright © 2022

Exhalation Delivery System with Fluticasone (EDS-FLU) Significantly Reduces Acute Exacerbations and Associated Antibiotic Use in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Background. Data suggest chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) may be the top reason for adult outpatient antibiotic use;of =10 million office visits per year for CRS, =70% result in antibiotic use. Acute exacerbations of CRS (AECRS) are common, possibly due to persistently impaired mucociliary clearance, and drive use of antibiotics. No drugs have been shown effective for reducing AECRS. ReOpen1 and 2 are randomized controlled trials that evaluated prevention of AECRS with the exhalation delivery system with fluticasone (EDS-FLU;XHANCE), a novel device delivering topical steroid into chronically inflamed sinonasal regions not typically accessible with standard nasal sprays (eg, past the nasal valve and above the inferior turbinate). Methods. CRS patients were randomized to EDS-FLU one or two sprays per nostril or placebo twice daily (BID) for 24 weeks. Frequency of AECRS, defined as worsening of at least 1 cardinal symptom of CRS (nasal congestion/obstruction, rhinorrhea, facial pain/pressure, hyposmia/anosmia) for >= 3 days requiring escalation of medical care (eg, doctor visit, antibiotic or steroid prescription), was analyzed using pooled data from both trials. Results. Among 555 patients enrolled, 39.4% were using standard nasal steroids at study entry and 38.8% reported prior sinus surgery. There were 76 AECRS over 24 weeks, almost all (71) resulting in antibiotic use. Patients receiving EDS-FLU had a large reduction in AECRS versus placebo (incidence rate ratio [IRR]=0.39, P=0.001, vs placebo). Reduction was greater at the higher dose (2 sprays/nostril BID) than the lower dose (1 spray/nostril BID): IRR=0.34, P=0.002;IRR=0.44, P=0.012, respectively. 9.9% of low-dose patients and 7.8% of high-dose patients had >= 1 AECRS (20 and 15 events, respectively) vs 15.7% receiving placebo (41 events;P=0.012 and P=0.002 vs placebo, respectively). Treatment was well tolerated: adverse events in >= 3% of patients and more common in one active group than placebo were epistaxis, COVID-19, headache, and nasopharyngitis. Conclusion. EDS-FLU is the first and only medication shown in randomized controlled trials to significantly reduce acute exacerbations of CRS, offering potential to improve antibiotic stewardship by substantially reducing one of the most common drivers of outpatient antibiotic use. (Figure Presented).

Aplastic Anemia Following SARS-COV-2 Infection

Introduction: COVID 19 is caused by a novel virus SARS-CoV-2.It has become a pandemic as declared by WHO with its first case being reported in China. Among children the intensity is usually mild and without any further impact. Aims & Objectives: Unusual presentation of aplastic anemia following SARS-CoV-2 infection: A rare case report. Material(s) and Method(s): A 6 year old male child presented with complaints of rashes and epistaxis for 2 weeks and also one episode of blood in stools.Two weeks prior to the onset of above complaints, the patient had a history of recovery from COVID -19.Blood investigations revealed pancytopenia with hemoglobin of 5.6 gm/dl,total leukocyte count of 2000/cumm and platelets were 43,000/cumm.The corrected reticulocyte count was 0.3%.Bone marrow examination done showed completely hemodilutedsmears.Bone marrow biopsy revealed a markedly hypocellular marrow with cellularity of 10% and the cellular components being replaced by fat spaces. Result(s): Based on the above findings, and other viral markers being negative a diagnosis of aplastic anaemia following SARS CoV-2 was made. Conclusion(s): COVID-19 being a relatively new disease,it's sequelae in children is not much studied.Aplasticanemia following an infection of SARS-CoV-2 is extremely rare with only two cases reported in literature till date.Hence this entity should be kept in mind by the treating physician encountering a case of pancytopenia following COVID-19.

No difference in the management of Covid-19 hemophilic and non-hemophilic patients

Background: Several guidelines specifically suggest how to manage hemophilic patients (PWH) with COVID-19, but recent studies have shown that Covid-19 PWH management does not differ from the general population Aims: To evaluate our COVID-19 PWH to confirm if this trend is also present in our Centre Methods: We retrospectively evaluated data about 8 Covid-19 PWH (4 adults and 4 pediatrics) during 2020-22. Median age was 28.7 (range 10-61). 5 were hemophilic A (2 severe and 3 moderate), 3 were severe B (one inhibitor). At the moment of observation 6 they had not yet been vaccinated, two had received the second and third doses respectively Results: Only one 56-year- old patient needed hospitalization: He presented diabetes, hypertension, hepatitis C and prostatic hypertrophy and was admitted to the hospital because of a worsening dyspnea, and was treated with noninvasive ventilation. Heparin was avoided because of the hemorrhagic risk and the other therapies were administered orally or intravenously. He was discharged after 7 days. Of the other adults, a 27-year- old man manifested mild dyspnea and diarrhea without needing hospitalization.The 34-year- old who had received the two doses of vaccine scheduled at that time did not show any symptomatology. The 61-year- old with three doses of vaccine, developed mild symptoms (low grade fever, sore throat, mild muscle pains). All 4 pediatric patients were successfully treated at home:only the inhibitor patient had an episode of nosebleed treated with single by-passant treatment;the pediatric PWH reported mild symptoms: Low-grade fever, asthenia, headache, cold and cough;one had a temporary anosmia and ageusia. Results are resumed in table 1 Conclusion(s): Our experience showed no difference between PWH and the general population: The only adult who needed hospitalization was the one with comorbidities and for whom the application of Guidelines for Covid-19 PWH avoided bleedings.The pediatric patients and the vaccinated adults were pauci-symptomatic and were cured at home.

Prevalence, Recurrences, and COVID-19 Impact on Pediatric Epistaxis

Introduction: Pediatric epistaxis is highly prevalent, yet patient characteristics, frequency of office cauterizations, and outcomes have been minimally described. This study examined the epidemiology and prevalence of epistaxis and potential impact by COVID-19. Method(s): A retrospective summary was performed on all patients (0-18 years) seen/treated for epistaxis by pediatric otolaryngologists within a single health care system across northeast and southeast United States between January 1, 2013, and October 31, 2021. Demographics, geographics, medical history, and office and operating room cauterization were reviewed. Data were analyzed using chi2 and logistic regression. Result(s): Of 9770 unique patients, with 26,699 epistaxis encounters, 62% were male. Median age at first encounter was 8.5 years;50% of patients were White. Encounters were most frequent during the fall (September-November) and least frequent during winter (December-February) with no significant differences. The incidence of epistaxis has significantly increased since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic (P<.001). Overall, 27% received a procedural intervention, 54% required more than a single visit. Logistic regression revealed age, ethnicity, and geographical region as independent predictors of receiving a procedure on the first encounter, with a model receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve with area=0.75 (95% CI, 0.73-0.76). Similarly, procedural intervention, history of allergies, and nasal steroid use were independent predictors of recurrent visits, with a model ROC curve with area=0.79 (95% CI, 0.78-0.80). Conclusion(s): The incidence of pediatric epistaxis is not significantly correlated with seasonality. However, there has been a significant increase in epistaxis encounters during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recurrent visits for pediatric epistaxis were significantly predicted by procedural intervention, allergies, and nasal steroid use.

Providing Evidence for Dogma: Risk of Epistaxis Increases After COVID-19 Nasal-Screening Swab

Introduction: While there is anecdotal evidence that a SARSCoV- 2 (COVID-19) reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction screening nasopharyngeal swab confers an elevated risk of epistaxis, no studies substantiate this. We aim to assess the association between epistaxis and exposure to a provideradministered COVID-19 swab. Method(s): A paired-exposure crossover cohort design was used among all patients who received a single COVID-19 swab between April 2020 and March 2021. Occurrence of epistaxis was compared during the hazard period, the 7 days following the index COVID-19 swab, to the control period, the 7 days preceding the index COVID-19 swab. McNemar test was used to compare rates of control- and hazard-period epistaxis. Conditional logistic regression was used to evaluate sociodemographic and clinical risk factors for epistaxis. Result(s): A total of 827,987 participants were included, with 1047 epistaxis encounters. The prevalence of epistaxis during the hazard and control periods were 0.08% and 0.04%, respectively. Swab exposure was associated with 1.92-fold odds of epistaxis in the hazard period (95% CI, 1.73, 2.12];P<.01). Older age (odds ratio [OR] 1.07;95% CI, 1.02, 1.75), Asian ancestry (OR 1.68;95% CI, 1.40, 2.02), men (OR 1.33;95% CI, 1.16, 1.54), anticoagulation/antiplatelet use (OR 2.88;95% CI, 2.11, 3.92), hypertension (OR 2.31;95% CI, 1.92, 2.78), and prior facial trauma (OR 1.63;95% CI, 1.21, 2.19) were associated with significantly increased odds of epistaxis during the hazard period (P<.01). Conclusion(s): COVID-19 nasal swabs are associated with increased risk of epistaxis. Physicians should provide additional counseling to patients, particularly those at highest risk, including those on anticoagulants/antiplatelets or with hypertension, prior to undergoing a COVID-19 nasal swab.

Journal update monthly top five

Correspondence to Dr Gabrielle Prager, Emergency Department, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK;lgprager@doctors.org.uk This month’s update has been prepared by the Emergency Medicine & Intensive Care Research Group (EMERGING) from Manchester. Head turner Predicting which patients will survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) with good functional outcomes could help guide resuscitative efforts. Lack of blinding is a potential source of bias, but the apparent preference of parents for immobilisation may influence physician choice of treatment.2 Bottom line In children treated for Torus fractures, there is no difference in self-reported pain or function using a simple bandage versus a splint or cast. Notably, since this paper was published, the UK RECOVERY trial suggested a probable benefit in using them together.5 6 Bottom line In patients with COVID-19 requiring oxygen and receiving remdesivir, there was no difference in ventilator-free survival between those treated with baricitinib or dexamethasone.