sensitivity of this test (as low as 60% in some reports) might have led to misclassification and diagnostic bias. 7 However, this preliminary report of an association between hypogeusia or hyposmia and COVID19 diagnosis in patients with ILI suggests that these symptoms might be a useful tool for initial diagnostic workup in patients with suspected COVID19. These symptoms, which are easy to collect, could be used for mass screening, by professionals with limited medical knowledge, and through telemedicine. Larger prospective studies are required to confirm these preliminary findings.We declare no competing interests.

Background:The literature regarding clinical olfaction, olfactory loss, and olfactory dysfunction has expanded rapidly over the past two decades, with an exponential rise in the past year. There is substantial variability in the quality of this literature and a need to consolidate and critically review the evidence. It is with that aim that we have gathered experts from around the world to produce this International Consensus on Allergy and Rhinology: Olfaction (ICAR:O). Methods: Using previously described methodology, specific topics were developed relating to olfaction. Each topic was assigned a literature review, evidence-based review, or evidence-based review with recommendations format as dictated by available evidence and scope within the ICAR:O document. Following iterative reviews of each topic, the ICAR:O document was integrated and reviewed by all authors for final consensus. Results:The ICAR:O document reviews nearly 100 separate topics within the realm of olfaction, including diagnosis, epidemiology, disease burden, diagnosis, testing, etiology, treatment, and associated pathologies. Conclusion:This critical review of the existing clinical olfaction literature provides much needed insight and clarity into the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with olfactory dysfunction, while also clearly delineating gaps in our knowledge and evidence base that we should investigate further.

The benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a vestibular disorder cause of vertigo. The BPPV may be corrected mechanically by repositioning maneuvers but even after successful maneuvers, some patients report residual dizziness for a certain period afterward. Early recognition and treatment might decrease the incidence of residual dizziness in patients with BPPV, especially in those patients with psychiatric comorbidities and in the elderly, lowering the risk of falling. Many pathogenetic hypotheses for residual dizziness are under debate.The purpose of this review was to identify, evaluate and review recent researches about possible causal factors involved in residual dizziness and the implications on clinical practice. A literature search was performed using different databases such as Pubmed and Scopus. The following search terms were used: residual dizziness, otolithic membrane and BPPV. The search found a total of 1192 titles, which were reduced to 963 after a procedure of de-duplication of the found titles. The research was then restricted to an interval of time comprised between 2000 and 2016 for a total of 800 titles. Among these titles, only those including the terms benign paroxysmal positional vertigo were considered eligible for this review. Only publications in English language were taken into consideration and we excluded those with not available abstract. Finally, 90 abstracts were obtained and critically evaluated by two different Authors, and additional studies were identified by hand searching from the references of artiche of interest. Only 53 were included in this work.

The objective of this study is to assess different outcomes between endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (En-DCR) with and without silicone intubation. We retrospectively analyzed 84 patients (89 procedures), suffering from chronic epiphora for primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction, treated with En-DCR and divided into two groups depending on silicone stent intubation. The surgical outcomes were evaluated at 7 post-operative controls using Munk's score criteria. Functional success was defined as absence of epiphora, no further episodes of dacryocystitis, and a patent ostium after fluorescein irrigation. 45 En-DCR with stent and 44 En-DCR without stent were performed. Success rate after 18 months follow-up were, respectively, 82.2 % in the stent group and 88.6 % in the non-stent group (OR 0.59) with no statistical differences. The ostial size reduction has been reported in higher percentage in the stent group, mainly due to peristomal granuloma (OR 3.64), scar tissue formation (OR 2.25), and turbinoseptal synaechia (OR 1.76). The benefits of non-intubation are less patient discomfort, reduced surgical time and costs, simpler follow-up regimen and less intubation-associated complications. En-DCR without silicone stent intubation should be the first choice of procedure, stent intubation should be reserved in selected cases with poor local conditions pre and intra-operatively assessed.

Considering the urgency of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, detection of new mutant strains and potential re-emergence of novel coronaviruses, repurposing of drugs such as ivermectin could be worthy of attention. This review article aims to discuss the probable mechanisms of action of ivermectin against SARS-CoV-2 by summarizing the available literature over the years. A schematic of the key cellular and biomolecular interactions between ivermectin, host cell, and SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 pathogenesis and prevention of complications has been proposed.

Better understanding of antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 after natural infection might provide valuable insights into the future implementation of vaccination policies.Longitudinal analysis of IgG antibody titers was carried out in 32 recovered COVID-19 patients based in the Umbria region of Italy for 14 months after Mild and Moderately-Severe infection.Two FDA-approved immunoassays against SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid protein(NCP) and anti-spike-receptor binding domain(S-RBD) were used for sequential serological tests at different time points.The demographics,clinical history and symptom profile associated with the magnitude and longevity of antibody responses were also analyzed.Anti-S-RBD IgG persisted in 96.8% (31 of 32) subjects at 14 months.Patients reporting loss of smell and taste during the clinical course of the disease developed significantly higher antibody titers.Anti-NCP IgG seronegative patients( n = 7) at 10 months,tested positive for anti-S-RBD IgG at 12,13 and 14 months emphasizing on a higher false-negative rate for NCP protein-based antibody assays.This study also highlights the importance of adopting specific immunoassays for routine estimation of antibody titers and the decreased rate of re-infections in recovered patients.

Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant confusion about healthcare providers' and patients' pandemicspecific risks related to surgery. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize recommendations for sinus and anterior skull base surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Scopus and Embase were searched by two independent otolaryngologists from the Young Otolaryngologists of IFOS (YO-IFOS) for studies dealing with sinus and skull base surgery during COVID-19 pandemic. The review also included unpublished guidelines edited by Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery or Neurosurgery societies. Perioperative factors were investigated including surgical indications, preoperative testing of patients, practical management in operating rooms, technical aspects of surgery and postoperative management. The literature review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. The criteria for considering studies or guidelines for the review were based on the population, intervention, comparison, outcome, timing and setting (PICOTS) framework. Results 15 International publications met inclusion criteria. Five references were guidelines from national societies. All guidelines recommended postponing elective surgeries. An algorithm is proposed that classifies endonasal surgical procedures into three groups based on the risk of postponing surgery. Patients' COVID-19 status should be preoperatively assessed. Highest level of personal protective equipment (PPE) is recommended, and the use of high-speed powered devices should be avoided. Face-to-face postoperative visits must be limited. Conclusions Sinus and skull base surgeries are high-risk procedures due to potential aerosolization of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Protection of health care workers by decreasing exposure and optimizing the use of PPE is essential with sinus and anterior skull base surgery.

Background It has become clear that healthcare workers are at high risk, and otolaryngology has been theorized to be among the highest risk specialties for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). The purpose of this study was to detail the international impact of COVID‐19 among otolaryngologists, and to identify instructional cases. Methods Country representatives of the Young Otolaryngologists–International Federation of Otolaryngologic Societies (YO‐IFOS) surveyed otolaryngologists through various channels. Nationwide surveys were distributed in 19 countries. The gray literature and social media channels were searched to identify reported deaths of otolaryngologists from COVID‐19. Results A total of 361 otolaryngologists were identified to have had COVID‐19, and data for 325 surgeons was available for analysis. The age range was 25 to 84 years, with one‐half under the age of 44 years. There were 24 deaths in the study period, with 83% over age 55 years. Source of infection was likely clinical activity in 175 (54%) cases. Prolonged exposure to a colleague was the source for 37 (11%) surgeons. Six instructional cases were identified where infections occurred during the performance of aerosol‐generating operations (tracheostomy, mastoidectomy, epistaxis control, dacryocystorhinostomy, and translabyrinthine resection). In 3 of these cases, multiple operating room attendees were infected, and in 2, the surgeon succumbed to complications of COVID‐19. Conclusion The etiology of reported cases within the otolaryngology community appear to stem equally from clinical activity and community spread. Multiple procedures performed by otolaryngologists are aerosol‐generating procedures (AGPs) and great care should be taken to protect the surgical team before, during, and after these operations.