Otolaryngological symptoms in COVID-19

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of various otolaryngological symptoms in patients with COVID-19 with regard to age, gender and pneumonia-related thorax CT characteristics. Methods This is a retrospective study conducted between March 25, 2020 and April 25, 2020. The anamnesis and medical files of 155 patients who applied to our outpatient COVID-19 clinic were evaluated. Patients with positive PCR tests for COVID-19 who were aged between 18-72 years were divided into groups according to the presence of otolaryngological symptoms. The differences between the two groups were examined. Results Of the 155 patients, 89 (57.4%) had otolaryngological symptoms. The mean age of the patients was 36.3 ± 8.1 years. Ninety-one (58.7%) patients were female, and 64 (42.2%) were male. Fifty-eight (37.4%) patients had received a clinical diagnosis of viral pneumonia with ground glass findings in tomography. The frequency of otolaryngological symptoms was higher in females than males (p: 0.029). The otolaryngological symptoms were also observed to be more frequent in the 18-30 age group (p: 0.013) compared to other age groups. Conclusions Tinnitus, gingivitis, sudden hearing loss, Bell's palsy, and hoarseness can be seen in COVID-19, albeit rarely. Revealing the otolaryngological symptoms of COVID-19, and obtaining more information about the extent of disease will be useful in managing patients and their complaints associated with otolaryngology

Tinnitus and equilibrium disorders in COVID-19 patients: preliminary results

“…Coronavirus-related otoneurological symptoms, such as tinnitus and balance disorders, have been described so far [ 10 , 23 – 29 ], as neurotrophic and neuroinvasive capabilities are typical of some coronaviruses [ 30 ]. Previous studies on other coronavirus infections showed a brain involvement, focusing attention on the possible neuro-auditory impairment following this infection [ 31 , 32 ].…”

“…Despite the growing amount of scientific literature on COVID-19, studies that correlate audiovestibular symptoms to SARS-CoV-2 infection are still limited and further investigation is necessary for a better estimate of their incidence [ 10 , 23 – 29 ]. Furthermore, the incidence of audiovestibular symptoms among patients infected with other types of coronavirus (i.e., MERS and SARS) is debated [ 28 ].…”

SARS-CoV-2 mediated neuroinflammation and the impact of COVID-19 in neurological disorders

“…Bell’s palsy related to COVID-19 is uncommon as only 1 of 89 otolaryngologic symptom presenting patients reported Bell’s palsy [ 152 ]. Case studies have primarily reported the relationship between Bell’s Palsy and COVID-19.…”

Acute Labyrinthitis Revealing COVID-19

“…Proposed mechanisms include direct viral invasion, reactivation of a latent virus within the spiral ganglion, and an immune-mediated mechanism in a systemic viral infection [ 5 ]. Currently, the damaging impact of COVID-19 virus on the hearing organs in the inner ear is a new finding yet to be explored [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Otitis has already been highlighted as an unusual presentation of COVID-19, in conjunction with usual viral symptoms or as an isolated disorder [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ].…”