Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery

Rhino-Orbital cerebral Mucormycosis (ROCM) an angioinvasive fungal infection commonly seen in diabetic and immunocompromised patients. In recent days, due to COVID 19 pandemic mucormycosis has been significantly increased (Smith et al. in Radiol Cardiothorac Imaging 2(5):e200280, 2020). In this study we evaluate the involvement, clinical features, contributing risk factors and outcome of post covid Rhino orbital cerebral mucormycosis. A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted on post covid rhino orbital cerebral mucormycosis patients from May 2021 to October 2021 in Otorhinolaryngology department of Stanley Medical college Chennai...

PURPOSE: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding the physiopathological mechanisms of its manifestations has been crucial to understand the disease and its implications. As the disease evolved, post-infection complications have arisen such as olfactory dysfunctions including parosmia in which odourants are perceived in a distorted or an unpleasant way. METHODS: In this article, we attempt to clarify these mechanisms and the role of human nasal epithelium in the development of post-COVID-19 parosmia...

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a known complication of a number of viral infections, but there is little literature to date on its association to Corona virus disease 2019(COVID-19).This study aimed to investigate the incidence and recovery from SSNHL in post COVID-19 patients. A study was conducted in 6 months of duration at our tertiary care COVID dedicated hospital. Total 280 patients with age group of 12-70 years, laboratory confirmed COVID 19 positive patients having mild to moderate COVID symptoms were included...

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess and compare the level of serum vitamin-D in participants affected with recurrent upper respiratory tract infections and in healthy population and to know whether vitamin-D deficiency is factor contributing to recurrent upper respiratory tract infections (URTI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case control study was conducted on 52 subjects with recurrent URTI and 52 controls. Frequency and severity of infections in the previous 6 months were assessed and documented among the case group...

INTRODUCTION: Tracheostomy is a complex procedure which includes special care and attention with respect to the stoma and wound. But apart from surgical pitfalls certain qualities of life are also affected which needs due consideration for positive prognostic outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of life in post tracheostomised patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a hospital based observational study conducted for a period of one year and included 97 patients...

SARS-CoV-2 virus could damage the hearing by several mechanisms, it could damage the auditory centre in the temporal lobe and direct peripheral injury to the sensory cells of the cochlear due to neurotropism of the virus. A Prospective hospital-based observational study was carried out at a tertiary care centre for a period of 22 months from January 2021 to October 2022. A total of 100 patients were selected according to inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. Pure-tone audiometry (PTA) was done as a screening test; patients were followed up till 6 months...

We present the clinical case of a 51-year-old male patient, affected by common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). In his history recurrent orbital cellulitis, exacerbation of chronic right dacryocystitis, lacrimal sac empyema with periodic episodes of dacryocutaneous fistolization. The coexistence of these particular immunological defects and the lack of literature about similar cases required an accurate evaluation of each step of the diagnostic and therapeutic approach. We performed an endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy with "cold" instruments...

An invasive fungal infection caused by saprophytic and aerobic fungi Rhizopus, Rhizomucor, and Cunninghamella genera of the family Mucoraceae is known as Mucormycosis. Typically, Mucormycosis manifests in patients with conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, renal failure, patients receiving chemotherapy, long term steroid therapy or patients who are immunocompromised such as Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome. The authors report a case of mixed opportunistic fungal infection of Mucormycosis and Aspergillosis following maxillofacial trauma that was treated by both medical and surgical line of management...

We report the first case series utilizing the exoscope exclusively for bilateral simultaneous cochlear implant surgery and discuss the advantages, disadvantages, as well as surgical outcomes in the Covid-19 era. The VITOM® 2D is compatible with enhanced PPE and draping techniques which can improve safety while providing comparable surgical outcomes.

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is third highest prevalent cancer among Indian which constitutes about 25-30% of all the cancer in India. Further, out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) covers around 67% of total healthcare expenditure and direct medical cost is key factor responsible for raised OOPE in India. Thus, we aimed to quantify total direct medical cost and OOPE associated with HNC management among HNC patients using "Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka scheme" (ABArK scheme). A retrospective study was conducted for the duration of 6 months to collect the data related to total direct medical cost, coverage of "ABArK Scheme" and OOPE of past 2 years of HNC patients...

Covid-19 is transmitted mainly by respiratory droplets and as the upper airway mucosa is the first innate immune barrier, it is crucial to understand the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on this system. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate the nasal mucociliary clearance in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and their symptom development. Observational cross-sectional study. The nasal mucociliary clearance (NMC) time was evaluated by the saccharin test and the results were compared between patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection (group 1) and controls (group 2, asymptomatic patients with a negative polymerase chain reaction test)...

Precautionary measures such as physical distancing, wearing a mask, and hand hygiene to suppress virus transmission necessitated a shift in the communication paradigm.The study aimed to check the effects of wearing masks (N95, surgical, and cloth) due to the COVID-19 pandemic on interpersonal communication in audiology-speech-language pathology clinical setup from a clinician perspective. A total of 105 participants, 17 males, and 88 females, in the age range of 19 to 29 years (Mean age = 21.41 years; S...

To study clinicoepidemiology and surgical complications in acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis. Retrospective observational study carried in GMC Akola from February 2021 to April 2022. Detailed history and clinical examination, nasal endoscopic biopsy or swab for KOH and fungal culture was taken. CECT/MRI PNS + Orbit + Brain was done. All patients underwent surgery and tissue sample send for histopathological examination. Total 146 patients included in study with M:F ratio 1.7:1...

UNLABELLED: Laryngeal cancer is one of the most common head and neck cancers in India. Surgery is the preferred modality of treatment in majority of cT4a cases and selective cT3 cases of Carcinoma Larynx. COVID-19 outbreak became a global pandemic and caused significant delays and disruptions in every aspect of cancer care. Similarly, patients of laryngeal cancer presented with advanced disease and significant stridor. In such cases, Emergency total laryngectomy (ETL) proved to be a valid treatment modality in the place of conventional workup and treatment...

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: : The aim of our study was to present an experience of elective tracheostomy in COVID-19 patients at our institute. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present prospective study was conducted, after approval by Institutional Ethics Committee, in the Department of ENT, SMGS Hospital, GMC Jammu from May 2020 to March 2021 over 60 patients having need for prolonged mechanical ventilation and having tested positive for COVID-19 with nasopharyngeal swab on rtPCR assay testing...

To analyze the socio-demographic and audiological profile of the applicants for hearing handicap certification in the Medical Board (henceforth, "Board") of a tertiary care teaching institute. This is a retrospective record review (March 2019-February 2020) from the archival computer database of the institutional Board. The procedure for audiological assessment prior to Board review and thereafter, the evaluation at the Board (computation of hearing impairment) for eligibility for certification was discussed...

Hemangioendothelioma (HEM) is a vascular tumour which is locally aggressive with a low-grade malignant potential. We present a rare case of HEM arising from the vocal cord of a 10-year-old female child. Video laryngoscopy clearly showed a large vocal cord polyp-like mass attached to middle one-third of left cord. Histopathological examination showed fragments of tissue with a neoplasm composed of spindle cells arranged diffusely admixed with numerous small vascular channels. These specific cells were positive for CD31, CD34, vimentin and ERG...

The World Health Organization announced on March 11, 2020 that COVID-19 could become a pandemic. COVID-19 is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2). Viruses usually enter the body through the mouth or nose. The virus then enters the alveoli, which are small air sacs inside the lungs. Cough, fatigue, fever, shortness of breath or breathing difficulties, and loss of smell and taste are all symptoms of COVID-19. Anosmia, also known as smell blindness, is a condition in which the ability to detect one or more smells is lost...

Mucormycosis is an emerging angioinvasive fungal infection caused by ubiquitous saprophytic filamentous fungus that belongs to the class Zygomycosis. Mucormycosis or black fungus infections in patients with recent COVID-19 infections has given rise to a new epidemic during the second wave of this current COVID-19 pandemic in India. Steroid misuse, poor glycemic control, use of industrial grade oxygen, improper humidification and specific variants strains have resulted in profound immunosuppression and are attributed for the high incidence of COVID associated Mucormycosis (CAM) in India...

UNLABELLED: Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has presented an unmatched challenge to the ENT residency programs to adapt to a form of web-based learning process and stimulation-based training. It also focuses on the mental stress underwent and the viewpoint of the residents to the paradigm shift in clinical care and academics. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was created in an online survey generator with 22 questions with limited options (yes/no) and was circulated through email and what's app which has been responded to by 240 ENT residents throughout the country...