ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: To review the present literature on upper respiratory tract sampling in COVID-19 and provide recommendations to improve healthcare practices and directions in future studies. Methods: Twelve relevant manuscripts were sourced from a total of 7288 search results obtained using PubMed, Medline and Google Scholar. The search keywords used were COVID-19, nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, swabs, SARS and CoV2. Original manuscripts were obtained and analysed by all authors. The review included manuscripts which have not undergone rigorous peer-review process in view of the magnitude of the topic discussed. Results: The viral load of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the upper respiratory tract was significantly higher during the first week and peaked at 4-6 days after onset of symptoms, during which it can be potentially sampled. Nasopharyngeal swab has demonstrated higher viral load than oropharyngeal swab, where the difference in paired samples is best seen at 0-9 days after the onset of illness. Sensitivity of nasopharyngeal swab was higher than oropharyngeal swabs in COVID-19 patients. Patient self-collected throat washing has been shown to contain higher viral load than nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swab, with significantly higher sensitivity when compared with paired nasopharyngeal swab. Recommendations: Routine nasopharyngeal swab of suspected COVID-19 infection should take anatomy of the nasal cavity into consideration to increase patient comfort and diagnostic yield. Routine oropharyngeal swab should be replaced by throat washing which has demonstrated better diagnostic accuracy, and it is safe towards others.
ABSTRACT
Bilateral vocal fold immobility (BVFI) is commonly caused by injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and leads to stridor and dyspnea of varying onsets. A retrospective study was done at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre on laser microsurgical posterior cordectomy for BVFI. The objectives were to identify the average duration of onset of stridor from the time of insult and to evaluate the outcome of laser posterior cordectomy as a surgical option. From 1997 to 2007, a total of 31 patients with BVFI were referred for surgery. Twelve patients had tracheostomy done prior to the procedure, whereas 19 patients were without tracheostomy. Ten patients were successfully decannulated, and only 4 patients had complications related to the procedure. The minimum onset of stridor was 7 months, maximum onset of stridor was 28 years, and the mean onset of stridor was 8.7 years. The commonest complication observed was posterior glottic adhesion following bilateral posterior cordectomy. Laser endolaryngeal posterior cordectomy is an excellent surgical option as it enables successful decannulation or avoidance of tracheostomy in patients with BVFI. The onset of stridor took years after the insult to the recurrent laryngeal nerves.
ABSTRACT
Neurologic and airway compromise as a result of traumatic vascular injuries to the neck region often lead to more severe complications and thus require special consideration. Furthermore, these cases pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges to healthcare providers. Here, we report a case of a 28-year-old motorcyclist presenting with progressively enlarged Zone 2 neck swelling on the left side following a high impact collision. There were no symptoms or signs suggesting neurologic or laryngeal injury. Computed tomography angiogram of the neck revealed signs of an active arterial bleed. The apparent vascular injury was managed by close observation for signs of airway compromise, urgent angiogram, and selective catheter embolisation of the left lingual artery. The patient subsequently recovered without further operative exploration of the neck. At 6 months post-trauma, the neck swelling fully subsided with no complications from angioembolisation. This case illustrates the individualised treatment and multidisciplinary approach in managing such cases. We review our rationale for this diagnostic and therapeutic approach.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#To report a case of extramedullary plasmacytoma, a rare localized tumour involving the head and neck region in a 56-year -old gentleman.@*Methods@#Design: Case Report Setting: Tertiary University Referral Center Patient: One @*Result@#The patient presented with a 5-month history of right-sided nasal obstruction and intermittent epistaxis in 2003. Nasal endoscopy revealed a friable, dark red mass arising from the roof of the nasopharynx, occluding the right choana. No invasion of adjacent tissues or cervical lymphadenopathy was evident. A biopsy of the mass was diagnosed as plasmacytoma. Serum and urine electrophoresis failed to detect any monoclonal bands. All other screening tests to rule out multiple myeloma were negative. These findings confirmed the diagnosis of extramedullary plasmacytoma. He recieved radiotherapy to the nasopharynx of 50 Gy for a total of 23 fractions. No recurrence was noted at 7-year follow-up.@*Conclusion@#Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the nasopharynx represents a tumour with good prognosis but requires long term follow up in anticipation of local recurrence and progression to Multiple Myeloma.
Subject(s)
Plasmacytoma , NasopharynxABSTRACT
Septal turbinate refers to a widened region of the septum located superior to the inferior turbinates and anterior to the middle turbinates. Although a common anatomical variant, its significance is not well reported. We report a 56-year-old Malay man who presented with a three year history of chronic nasal obstruction secondary to septal turbinate and type II deviated nasal septum. His nasal symptoms improved dramatically following commencement of intranasal steroids. He remained free of symptoms during seven years of follow up. The physiologic implication and management of septal turbinates is discussed.
