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A singular case of hyposmia and transient audiovestibular post-vaccine disorders: case report and literature review.
Fantin, Francesco; Frosolini, Andrea; Tundo, Isabella; Inches, Ingrid; Fabbris, Cristoforo; Spinato, Giacomo; de Filippis, Cosimo.
  • Fantin F; Department of Neuroscience DNS, University of Padova, Audiology Unit, Treviso Hospital, Treviso, Italy.
  • Frosolini A; Department of Neuroscience DNS, University of Padova, Audiology Unit, Treviso Hospital, Treviso, Italy.
  • Tundo I; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia," ENT Section, A.O.U. Policlinico "G.Rodolico-San Marco," University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
  • Inches I; Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Neuroradiology Unit, Treviso Hospital, Treviso, Italy.
  • Fabbris C; Department of Neuroscience DNS, University of Padova, Otolaryngology Unit, Treviso Hospital, Treviso, Italy.
  • Spinato G; Department of Neuroscience DNS, University of Padova, Otolaryngology Unit, Treviso Hospital, Treviso, Italy.
  • de Filippis C; Department of Neuroscience DNS, University of Padova, Audiology Unit, Treviso Hospital, Treviso, Italy.
Transl Neurosci ; 13(1): 349-353, 2022 Jan 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2065199
ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Rare and mild adverse effects on cranial nerves have been reported after vaccination. Here, we report a singular case of smell and taste disorder associated with tinnitus that occurred after Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccination together with a review of the available literature. Case presentation A 76-year-old patient experienced smell disorder, ear fullness and tinnitus 2 days after the first dose of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. The patient then underwent a complete audiological and Ear, Nose and Throat evaluation, nasal endoscopy, Sniffin'Sticks battery, audiometric test battery, and cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The exams revealed hyposmia and bilateral reduction of the volume of the olfactory bulbs (OB). At the follow-up, tinnitus was completely resolved while olfactory dysfunction only partially reduced. Review of the literature A PubMed search was conducted on olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions after COVID-19 vaccination resulting in four case reports with a total of 10 patients. The main symptoms were hyposmia, parosmia, and dysgeusia developed after 1-9 days from vaccination with complete resolution occurring within 1 month. Notably, none of the considered articles reported reduction of OB volumes at cerebral MRI.

Discussion:

So far, no definitive cause-effect relationship has been established between anti-COVID19 vaccination and otolaryngologic adverse reactions. The persistence of hyposmia in our patient could possibly be explained by the reduction in OB volume, even though also the advanced age of the patient needs to be taken into account. This is a first indication of a cause-effect relation between hyposmia and Covid19 vaccination, even though a more robust study is needed to confirm the autoimmunological mechanisms responsible for these rare adverse reactions. However, it is worth highlighting that benefits of the anti-COVID-19 vaccination clearly outweigh the risk of rare adverse events.
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Case report / Cohort study / Experimental Studies / Prognostic study / Reviews Topics: Long Covid / Vaccines Language: English Journal: Transl Neurosci Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Tnsci-2022-0250

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Case report / Cohort study / Experimental Studies / Prognostic study / Reviews Topics: Long Covid / Vaccines Language: English Journal: Transl Neurosci Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Tnsci-2022-0250