We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated glutamine efficacy in preventing and alleviating radiation‐induced oral mucositis (OM) among patients with head and neck (H&N) cancer. We screened five databases from inception till February 4, 2021 and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We included 11 RCTs, comprising 922 patients (458 and 464 patients were assigned to glutamine and control group, respectively). The incidence and onset of radiation‐induced OM of any grade did not substantially differ between both groups. However, glutamine substantially reduced the severity of radiation‐induced OM, as reflected by the reduced incidence of severe OM and reduced mean maximal OM grade score. Additionally, glutamine significantly decreased the rates of analgesic opioid use, nasogastric tube feeding, and therapy interruptions. Oral glutamine supplementation demonstrated various therapeutic benefits in preventing and ameliorating radiation‐induced OM among patients with H&N cancer.

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Respiratory disease caused by a mutant coronavirus variant has spread rapidly worldwide. According to reports, the COVID-19 version propagated at the end of 2019 and originated in Wuhan, China. On January 30, 2022, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, and on March 11, 2020, the outbreak has declared a pandemic. The COVID-19 infection might appear with no symptoms, very few symptoms, or extremely severe symptomsWe are the first to identify sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) as a side effect in COVID-19 patients who have fully recovered from the illness. Additionally, all reported cases of this presentation have an unexplained unilateral left ear involvement. This article reviews the literature and four cases of COVID-19 patients with SSNHL.We present four cases of COVID-19 positivity that were verified by PCR analysis of nasopharyngeal swabs. After fully recovering from the infection, all patients developed acute sensorineural hearing loss on the left side.A deterioration in the hearing ability among COVID-19 survivors makes it possible that the problem persists long after their recovery from infection. To support such a claim, additional in-depth research is required. The current study, in our opinion, will contribute to an increase in understanding about COVID-19, promote awareness, and alert healthcare professionals to take into account and discuss any symptoms.

Patient: Female, 23Final Diagnosis: Chronic tonsillitis with kincking of right internal carotid arterySymptoms: Recurrant sore throatMedication: —Clinical Procedure: TonsillotomySpecialty: OtolaryngologyObjective:Unusual clinical courseBackground:The internal carotid artery (ICA) is about 2.5 cm away from the tonsils. It has no branches in the cervical portion. ICA anomalies of the neck zone may result in a massive arterial bleeding during pharynx and neck surgery. Due to these anomalies, the surgeon must be aware of this risk during tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, and pharyngeal operations.Case Report:A 23-year-old woman who was discovered to have an acute S curling-type anomaly of the ICA in contact with the lateral border of the right tonsil during a work-up for a tonsillectomy. This anomaly was incidentally discovered via computed tomography (CT) with contrast. In re-evaluating the course of treatment, we found a severe S-shape kink on the right side, bringing it close to the right tonsil by approximately 2 mm, and putting it at severe risk of injury during a simple tonsillectomy, possibly exposing the patient to serious bleeding. Partial tonsillectomy was performed for this patient with the aim to preserve and not expose the internal carotid artery. Pulsation of right tonsil was recorded. The patient made an uneventful postoperative recovery.Conclusions:Undetected ICA anomaly variation can lead to fatal bleeding during a simple procedure, like tonsillectomy. We recommend vigilance during tonsillectomy if one is using a hot dissection method versus a cold dissection method, which may allow for detection of a perioperative ICA anomaly. Tonsillectomy performed by a junior resident should be under direct supervision, particularly if the hot dissection method is used.

Objective To carry out a meta‐analysis of prospective literature comparing the clinical efficacy of elective neck dissection (END) vs observation (OBS) in patients with early‐stage cT1/T2N0 tongue carcinoma. Design/Setting/Participants/Outcome Measures We systematically reviewed four databases from inception to 30‐October‐2020. We considered all studies meeting the following PICOS conditions: (a) Patients: early‐stage cT1/T2N0 tongue carcinoma, (b) Intervention: END, (c) Comparator: OBS, (d) Outcomes: local tongue recurrence, cervical nodal recurrence, disease‐specific survival (DSS) rate, and disease‐free survival (DFS) rate and (e) Study design: prospective reports. We pooled dichotomous data as relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Four studies (one case‐control study and three randomised controlled trials) met our inclusion criteria. There were 448 eligible patients (225 and 223 patients were treated with END and OBS, respectively). END significantly correlated with improved DSS rate (RR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.04‐1.27, P = .007). Nonetheless, there were no significant differences between END and OBS groups regarding the rates of local tongue recurrence (RR = 1.23, 95% CI: 0.50‐3.03, P = .65), cervical nodal recurrence (RR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.16‐1.27, P = .13) and DFS rate (RR = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.91‐1.27, P = .38). Pooled analysis for cervical nodal recurrence was heterogeneous, and sensitivity analysis revealed a significantly lower cervical nodal recurrence rate in favour of END group (RR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.13‐0.67, P = .004). Conclusion END correlated with a significant decrease in cervical nodal recurrence and improved DSS rate. END might be superior to OBS in patients with early‐stage cT1/T2N0 tongue cancer.

Schwann cells in the body's nerve sheath can develop into benign tumors known as schwannomas. While thyroid gland schwannomas are uncommon and are rarely documented in the literature, they are less unusual than those appearing in the head and neck region. The rare nature of schwannomas connected to the thyroid gland adds to the difficulty in detecting them prior to surgery. At present, the most popular form of treatment for thyroid schwannomas is surgical resection, which is considered to be curative. A mass excision or lobectomy has a favorable prognosis, few postoperative complications, and a low risk of tumor recurrence. This paper reports the case of a 71-year-old woman who presented with left neck swelling that had been increasing in size over a number of years. An ultrasonography examination revealed multiple bilateral thyroid nodules with high vascularity. The patient's right thyroid lobe exhibited benign nodular hyperplasia while the thyroid tissue of the isthmus exhibited benign nodular hyperplasia and schwannoma. Following the diagnosis, the patient's mass was successfully surgically removed.

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