Brazilian journal of otorhinolaryngology
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Braz J Otorhinolaryngol · Jul 2021
Diagnostic and therapeutic endonasal rhinologic procedures generating aerosol during COVID-19 pandemic: a systematized review.
Most rhinologic procedures, particularly endoscopic sinonasal procedures, are liable to produce aerosols. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Co V-2) transmits via respiratory droplets, but the degree of its spread through airborne routes by aerosol is unclear. ⋯ In rhinology, marked care is advised during nasal packing, electrocauterisation and use of high-speed rotating devices in potentially infected tissue as they are considerable aerosol- producing procedures. The choice of personal protective equipment is based on the risk of exposure and possible modes of aerosol generation.
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Braz J Otorhinolaryngol · May 2021
Eustachian tube dysfunction in sleep apnea patients and improvements afforded by continuous positive airway pressure therapy.
Upper airway resistance may accompany eustachian dysfunction and alter middle ear pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. ⋯ Mild and moderate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome did not affect middle ear pressure but severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome may increase the (negative) middle ear pressure. In severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients, long-term continuous positive airway pressure therapy may normalize middle ear pressure.
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Braz J Otorhinolaryngol · May 2021
Randomized Controlled TrialThe efficacy of esmolol, remifentanil and nitroglycerin in controlled hypotension for functional endoscopic sinus surgery.
Controlled hypotension is a reversible procedure in which the patient's baseline mean arterial blood pressure is reduced by 30% and sustained at 60-70 mmHg during the procedure. It decreases blood loss and provides clear surgical field during the procedures. ⋯ Less volatile agent, short time to achieve controlled hypotension, stable blood pressure, lower surgical field bleeding scores and larger length of time with the targeted mean arterial pressure were found as the advantages of Remifentanil. Less costly, efficiency of achieving the targeted median arterial pressure and less postoperative complications were the advantages of nitroglycerin. In functional endoscopic sinus surgery procedures, appropriate controlled hypotensive agents should be selected according to the patients' characteristics and advantages/disadvantages of the drugs.
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The SARS-CoV-2 virus causes COVID-19, and it is responsible for the largest pandemic since the 1918 H1N1 influenza outbreak. The classic symptoms of the disease have been well defined by the World Health Organization; however, olfactory/gustatory disorders have been reported in some studies, but there are still several missing points in the understanding and in the consensus about the clinical management of these cases. ⋯ Olfactory/gustatory disorders may occur at varying intensities and prior to the general symptoms of COVID-19 and should be considered as part of the clinical features of COVID-19, even in mild cases. There is still no scientific evidence of specific treatments for such disorders in COVID-19 disease.
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Braz J Otorhinolaryngol · Jan 2020
Protective effect of N-acetylcysteine against cisplatin ototoxicity in rats: a study with hearing tests and scanning electron microscopy.
Ototoxicity is a health problem appearing after powerful treatments in serious health conditions. It is sometimes inevitable when treatment of the serious disease is required. Cisplatin is an antineoplastic agent which was investigated previously to reveal increased nitrogen and reactive oxygen radicals that damages hair cells, resulting in ototoxicity. N-acetylcysteine, previously shown to decrease ototoxicity caused by different agents, is known to be a powerful in vitro antioxidant. Probably N-acetylcysteine, in addition to its antioxidant effect, blocks a cascade where reactive oxygen species result in apoptosis in the cochlea. ⋯ Cisplatin ototoxicity can be detected by auditory brain stem responses and otoacoustic emissions testing in rats. N-acetylcysteine may protect the cochlear cells from histopathological changes. We concluded that N-acetylcysteine given 4h after cisplatin injection has a potential otoprotective effect against cisplatin ototoxicity. which suggests it could be used in clinical trials.