Is taste and smell impairment irreversible in COVID-19 patients?

OBJECTIVE: It is known that the COVID-19 disease, which has affected the whole world, causes symptoms, such as cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle pain, fatigue, diarrhea, headache and sore throat, in addition to various clinical findings, such as loss of smell and taste. In this study, we aimed to reveal the loss of sense of taste and smell in COVID-19 patients and to investigate whether these sensory losses are permanent in the healing process of the disease. METHOD: This prospective study included 94 COVID-19 patients. Smell and taste tests were applied to all patients. Ten days after the first test, a second test was applied to the patients with an impaired sense of smell to compare the results. RESULTS: Of the 94 patients, 55.3% were male, and the mean age was 53 ± 19.6 (21-90) years. There were 67 patients with smell and taste impairment, of whom 34 (50.7%) had smell impairment only, 3 (4.4%) had taste impairment only, and 30 (44.7%) had both smell and taste impairment. It was found that the smell scores of 55 patients with smell and taste impairment in the first evaluation were significantly higher at the second measurement; and their tasting period was significantly shortened compared to the first measurement (p˂0.001). CONCLUSION: COVID-19 patients may present to medical centers with a broad variety signs and symptoms. This study shows that impairment in the senses of smell and taste is common in this disease and strongly associated with COVID-19 infection. However, smell and taste impairment is mostly temporary and improves during the recovery period.

The importance of calprotectin levels in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome severity.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is mostly seen in adult populations. It is known that increased levels of several inflammatory mediators play roles in OSAS and related comorbidities. Calprotectin is an inflammatory mediator that increases in some diseases such as Behçet's syndrome, bowel diseases and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether calprotectin can be used as a biomarker in OSAS by determining the relation between serum calprotectin levels and OSAS severity. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study. METHODS: A prospective study was planned. Eighty-three patients undergoing polysomnography were included in the study and evaluated prospectively. Thirty patients were classified as non-OSAS (group 1), 18 as mild OSAS (group 2), 15 as moderate OSAS (group 3) and 20 as severe OSAS (group 4). Calprotectin values were measured in the non-OSAS patients (group 1) and in the patients with OSAS (groups 2, 3 and 4). The OSAS groups were also compared with each other. RESULTS: Serum calprotectin values ranged between 70.61 and 1468.04 ng/ml. No significant difference in calprotectin levels was found between the OSAS and normal groups. However, statistically significantly increased calprotectin values were determined in the severe OSAS group (group 4) when all groups were compared. CONCLUSION: Calprotectin values were elevated in OSAS patients and it can be used as a marker of severe OSAS. Future studies can support our study.

A Rare Entity: Adult Asymptomatic Giant Vallecular Cyst.

Background. Cysts in the larynx are rare and generally asymptomatic. However, large cysts in adults can be symptomatic. If they are symptomatic, they typically present with respiratory and feeding difficulties. They are usually benign in terms of pathology. Several surgical techniques may be used for treatment. Case Report. A 56-year-old man presented to our clinic with hoarseness. Routine laryngeal examination revealed a giant mass and the larynx could not be visualized. At magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a cystic mass originating from the vallecula was detected. There was no pathology at the glottic level. We planned tracheotomy for the airway and endoscopic surgery for excision. The mass was excised using CO2 laser and was reported as benign. Conclusion. An asymptomatic vallecular cyst may cause difficult intubation in any operation. It may also cause respiratory or other complications. Airway management should be led by an ear, nose, and throat surgeon, since tracheotomy may be required. Endoscopic excision with CO2 laser is a good choice for treatment in elective cases. In this report, we discuss the diagnosis and treatment of a patient with an asymptomatic giant vallecular cyst.

Tympanic membrane cholesteatoma: a rare finding.

We report a rare finding of tympanic membrane cholesteatoma in a two-year-old girl. Tympanic membrane cholesteatoma without trauma or surgery to the ear is a rare entity, with few cases documented in the literature. The exact etiology of this lesion is still unclear. The presentation, clinical course and management are discussed. A whitish spot on the tympanic membrane should raise suspicion for cholesteatoma. Early diagnosis and treatment are imperative to allow an easy removal and avoid middle ear involvement.