Evaluation of taste score and fungiform papillae quantification using digital image analysis in COVID-19 patients with smell and taste dysfunction.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic which is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has created a major global health crisis in recent years. Despite this, there have been few studies that have utilized reliable methods to assess changes in taste and smell perception. Therefore, our study aims at the number of fungiform papillae and objective measures of taste perception relationship among COVID-19 patients with olfactory and gustatory disorders. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional analytical study in which 57 COVID-19 patients were recruited who confirmed the dysfunction of taste and smell. Objective assessment of the sense of taste was evaluated using four different standardized solution preparations, and the scores were given according to the patient's statements. Digitalized quantification of fungiform papillae was counted. The data were analyzed with the Pearson's correlation coefficient using the SPSS version. 23 [Licensed JSSAHER, Mysuru, Karnataka, India], and the level of significance was set at <0.001. Results: In terms of altered or reduced taste and smell, male patients exhibited a higher incidence compared to females. Compared to the sour taste, a substantial number of COVID-19 patients have displayed a notable decrease in their ability to taste sweet, salty, and bitter flavors. However, a statistically significant positive correlation was observed between taste scores and fungiform papillae density (r = 0.518, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Our Study demonstrated that the quantitative evaluation of taste perception and the count of fungiform papillae can serve as important indicators of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and could potentially help in the early detection and treatment of COVID-19 patients, as reduced taste function is a significant marker of the disease.

A Study of Clinicopathological Profile of Salivary Gland Swellings.

Salivary gland diseases usually present as a swelling of the affected gland. These lesions are commonly encountered in day to day practice. A salivary gland swelling can present in a variety of locations, depending on the salivary gland affected. The purpose of the study is to know the incidence of salivary gland swellings and the usefulness of FNAC in evaluating these swellings. The present study is a time bound prospective study of fifty consecutive cases of salivary gland swellings admitted in our hospital during the period November 2014-August 2016. Most of the patients underwent pre-operative work up with FNAC and patients indicated for surgery underwent surgery and HPE. Salivary gland swelling occurred more commonly in 3rd decade of life and equal number of cases were seen in both genders. Most of the patients presented with salivary gland swelling (98%). 21 (42%) were non neoplastic, 29 (58%) were neoplastic swellings, 18 (36%) were benign of which pleomorphic adenoma was the most common and 11 (22%) were malignant of which adenoid cystic carcinoma was the most common. Parotid gland was the most common gland involved. Fine needle aspiration cytology was highly sensitive for benign tumours and highly specific for malignant tumours. FNAC should be first choice of investigation in evaluating the salivary gland pathologies. Early diagnosis and subsequent appropriate management carries good prognosis.

Protective Effect of Punica granatum Extract in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy.

In India, head and neck cancers account for 30-40% cancers of all sites. Due to lack of screening program, wide variation in the availability of infrastructures and expertise, patients present at an advanced stage. The main stay of management of the head and neck tumours is surgery and chemoradiation. Radiation dermatitis and mucositis is one of the most common side effect encountered during the radiotherapy. Aim of our study was to study protective role of pomegranate extract on radiation induced dermatitis and mucositis in head and neck cancer patients. It was a prospective, clinical, double blind, case control study. 60 patients (30 active and controls) undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer were studied for 12 months. Patients in study group were given whole fruit pomegranate extract. Each capsule contained 300 mg of whole fruit extract, each capsule contains 40% polyphenols and 27% punicalagin. Each patient were given 2 capsules every day for a period of 6-7 weeks. The skin and mucosal changes was graded according to the acute radiation morbidity scoring criteria (RTOG) for skin and mucous membrane. The results were statistically significant. Pomegranate extract proved to be radioprotective. Our study is one of the first study in humans to demonstrate the effectiveness of pomegranate extract in preventing radiation dermatitis and mucositis.