Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Aug 2020
Association Between COVID-19 and Kawasaki Disease: Vigilance Required From Otolaryngologists.
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many novel presentations of known conditions are occurring. In the pediatric population, new instances of Kawasaki disease have recently been singled out as presenting in conjunction with or soon after diagnosis of COVID-19. This poses a novel situation, particularly for otolaryngologists, who may be the first to encounter these patients. Otolaryngologists should be cognizant of the coexistence of conditions to allow for timely recognition and optimal management.
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Aug 2020
Implementation of Preoperative Screening Protocols in Otolaryngology During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
To highlight emerging preoperative screening protocols and document workflow challenges and successes during the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic. ⋯ Preoperative screening is a critical aspect of safe surgical practice in the midst of the widespread pandemic. Rapid implementation of universal point-of-care screening is possible without major workflow adjustments or operative delays.
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Aug 2020
Subjective Changes in Smell and Taste During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A National Survey-Preliminary Results.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, many individuals have noted acute loss of smell and/or taste, although not all patients with these symptoms are tested for COVID-19. To better characterize all patients with these rare symptoms, a national survey was created. Over 13 days in April 2020, a total of 220 people completed the survey in its entirety, representing a wide geographic distribution across the United States. ⋯ A total of 37.7% of respondents reported changes in smell/taste as the initial or sole presentation of their condition. Most but not all patients had other symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 at the time of chemosensory loss. Despite its inclusion as a major symptom of COVID-19 by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), respondents with additional CDC-defined symptoms associated with COVID-19 were statistically more likely to be tested/diagnosed than those without.
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Aug 2020
Patient-Worn Enhanced Protection Face Shield for Flexible Endoscopy.
The primary objective of this study was to compare the protection afforded by a standard face shield design with a new enhanced design in a controlled setting. ⋯ During the course of a flexible fiberoptic endoscopy, medical personnel are safely isolated from potential infectious particles with a newly designed face shield.