COVID-19: Extensive epithelial damage and ciliary dyskinesia in hospitalised patients.

Infection with SARS-CoV-2 can cause severe respiratory disease and it is predicted that the COVID-19 pandemic will leave a substantial number of patients with long-term respiratory complications (1).

Time to consider the role of rationalisation in health psychology.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the interaction between psychological factors, belief systems, and engagement around public health initiatives. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a longitudinal observational study, utilising convenience sampling to examine illness-related perception in the immediate and medium-term stages of the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in the UK. METHODS: Weekly questionnaires assessed our primary measure, illness-related perception, using The Health Anxiety Inventory. Other psychological measures included apathy, loneliness, depersonalisation, state anxiety, trait anxiety as well as personality traits. Multiple regressions were performed to determine which psychological factors predicted the variance of health anxiety every week using the enter method. RESULTS: A combination of psychological variables that varied over time and were modulated by external events predicted the evolution of illness-related perception and associated aversion to perceived threat. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight how in the face of a public health crisis, psychological factors play a determining role in the synthesis of beliefs as well as guiding human behaviour.

The remote neuro-otology assessment - managing dizziness in the coronavirus disease 2019 era.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 and other factors have driven interest in conducting remote consultations, but there has been little research on this topic in neuro-otology. With suitable preparation, neuro-otology patients with dizziness can have remote assessments that include elements of neuro-otological physical examination, with tailored management and onward pathways arranged. METHODS: This paper reports experience with remote consultation in over 700 neuro-otology patient consultations and suggests a systematic approach, illustrated by a clinical case report and data on 100 consultations. CONCLUSION: Remote consultations can play a role in neuro-otology clinics. Further research is needed to establish patient acceptability, diagnostic accuracy, safety and efficiency of remote models of care for this patient group.

Jugular foramen schwannoma presenting with glossopharyngeal neuralgia syncope syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Jugular foramen schwannomas are rare skull base tumours which typically have a variable clinical presentation. Glossopharyngeal syncope syndrome is an unusual clinical presentation; in the following case report, it was the sole presentation of an extracranial jugular foramen tumour. METHODS: The presentation of a patient with glossopharyngeal neuralgia syncope syndrome is reviewed and the pathophysiology, clinical features and treatment discussed. RESULTS: A 45-year-old woman presented with unilateral throat pain, bradycardia and hypotension leading to episodes of impaired consciousness when lying on her left side or turning her head to the left. Imaging detected a left-sided extracranial jugular foramen schwannoma. The tumour was excised, and the patient had no more syncopal attacks. CONCLUSION: Glossopharyngeal neuralgia syncope syndrome can be the sole presentation of a jugular foramen schwannoma. Although this syndrome may be treated with anti-dysrhythmic drugs, cardiac pacing or nerve section, in the presented patient excision of the jugular foramen schwannoma was successful in preventing further episodes of syncope.

Dentistry as a possible route of hepatitis C transmission in Pakistan.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To identify the role of dental surgical procedures in contributing to the transmission of hepatitis C. DESIGN: Prospective observational pilot study. SETTING: Shaikh Zayed Federal Postgraduate Medical Institute Lahore, Pakistan. METHODS: Exposure to dental procedures, injections, tattooing, surgical intervention, blood transfusions, family history of hepatitis, diabetes mellitus and contact with jaundiced patients was evaluated in 78 consecutive adult patients of both sexes suffering from chronic hepatitis C. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Distribution of risk factors for acquiring hepatitis C with emphasis on role of dentistry as a possible route of transmission. RESULTS: Dental procedures were the major source of exposure (39.7%) followed by injections (16.6%), surgical procedures (16.6%), diabetes (12.8%), family history of hepatitis (9%), blood transfusions (7%), tattooing (5.1%) and history of contact with a jaundiced patient (2.6%). There was a statistically significant difference in distribution of risk factors, with dental procedures being the commonest factor (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of dental procedures in patients with chronic hepatitis C stresses the importance of ineffective infection control methods practiced by dental surgeons as a risk factor for acquiring hepatitis C and which were probably the source of infection. Large epidemiological studies are needed to elucidate the role of dentistry in transmitting hepatitis C.