scholarly journals Olfactory and Gustatory Dysfunction as An Early Identifier of COVID-19 in Adults and Children: An International Multicenter Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenghao Qiu ◽  
Chong Cui ◽  
Charlotte Hautefort ◽  
Antje Haehner ◽  
Jun Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Symptomatic Improvement ◽  
Olfactory Testing ◽  
Adults And Children ◽  
International Multicenter Study ◽  
Tertiary Care Hospitals ◽  
Chemosensory Function ◽  
International Multicenter

Abstract Objective: Evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of olfactory or gustatory dysfunction in COVID-19 patients Study Design: Multicenter Case Series Setting: 5 tertiary care hospitals (3 in China, 1 in France, 1 in Germany) Subjects and Methods: 394 PCR confirmed COVID-19 positive patients were screened, and those with olfactory or gustatory dysfunction were included. Data including demographics, COVID-19 severity, patient outcome, and the incidence and degree of olfactory and/or gustatory dysfunction were collected and analyzed. The Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders (QOD) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used to quantify olfactory and gustatory dysfunction respectively. All subjects at one hospital (Shanghai) without subjective olfactory complaints underwent objective testing. Results: Of 394 screened subjects, 161 (41%) reported olfactory and/or gustatory dysfunction and were included. Incidence of olfactory and/or gustatory disorders in Chinese (n=239), German (n=39) and French (n=116) cohorts were 32%, 69%, and 49% 138 respectively. The median age of included subjects was 39 years old, 92/161 (57%) were male, and 10/161 (6%) were children. Of included subjects, 10% had only olfactory or gustatory symptoms, and 19% had olfactory and/or gustatory complaints prior to any other COVID-19 symptom. Of subjects with objective olfactory testing, 10/90 demonstrated abnormal chemosensory function despite reporting normal subjective olfaction. 43% (44/102) of subjects with follow-up showed symptomatic improvement in olfaction or gustation. Conclusions: Olfactory and/or gustatory disorders may represent early or isolated symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. They may serve as a useful additional screening criterion, particularly for the identification of patients in the early stages of infection.

scholarly journals Olfactory and Gustatory Dysfunction as an Early Identifier of COVID-19 in Adults and Children: An International Multicenter Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 163 (4) ◽  
pp. 714-721 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenghao Qiu ◽  
Chong Cui ◽  
Charlotte Hautefort ◽  
Antje Haehner ◽  
Jun Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Symptomatic Improvement ◽  
Olfactory Testing ◽  
Adults And Children ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
International Multicenter Study ◽  
Tertiary Care Hospitals ◽  
Chemosensory Function

Objective To evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of olfactory or gustatory dysfunction in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Study Design Multicenter case series. Setting Five tertiary care hospitals (3 in China, 1 in France, 1 in Germany). Subjects and Methods In total, 394 polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–confirmed COVID-19-positive patients were screened, and those with olfactory or gustatory dysfunction were included. Data including demographics, COVID-19 severity, patient outcome, and the incidence and degree of olfactory and/or gustatory dysfunction were collected and analyzed. The Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders (QOD) and visual analog scale (VAS) were used to quantify olfactory and gustatory dysfunction, respectively. All subjects at 1 hospital (Shanghai) without subjective olfactory complaints underwent objective testing. Results Of 394 screened subjects, 161 (41%) reported olfactory and/or gustatory dysfunction and were included. Incidence of olfactory and/or gustatory disorders in Chinese (n = 239), German (n = 39), and French (n = 116) cohorts was 32%, 69%, and 49%, respectively. The median age of included subjects was 39 years, 92 of 161 (57%) were male, and 10 of 161 (6%) were children. Of included subjects, 10% had only olfactory or gustatory symptoms, and 19% had olfactory and/or gustatory complaints prior to any other COVID-19 symptom. Of subjects with objective olfactory testing, 10 of 90 demonstrated abnormal chemosensory function despite reporting normal subjective olfaction. Forty-three percent (44/102) of subjects with follow-up showed symptomatic improvement in olfaction or gustation. Conclusions Olfactory and/or gustatory disorders may represent early or isolated symptoms of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. They may serve as a useful additional screening criterion, particularly for the identification of patients in the early stages of infection.

scholarly journals Asthma Management at Discharge from the Emergency Department: A Descriptive Study

2005 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 219-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascale Gervais ◽  
Isabelle Larouche ◽  
Lucie Blais ◽  
Anne Fillion ◽  
Marie-France Beauchesne
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Inhaled Corticosteroids ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Airflow Obstruction ◽  
Asthma Management ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Oral Corticosteroids ◽  
Tertiary Care Hospitals

BACKGROUND: The management of asthma remains suboptimal despite the publication of Canadian asthma guidelines in 1999.OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted to estimate the proportion of patients admitted to the emergency department (ED) for an asthma exacerbation who received a management plan at discharge that was in accordance with seven criteria stated in the Canadian asthma guidelines. The present study took place in two tertiary care hospitals in Montreal, Quebec.RESULTS: A total of 37 patients were enrolled. Three (8%) patients received a management plan at discharge that was in accordance with all seven criteria. Inhaled corticosteroids and oral corticosteroids were prescribed at discharge for 29 (78%) and 35 (95%) patients, respectively. Minimal asthma education was provided for 29 (78%) patients and a medical follow-up was recommended to 22 (60%) patients. Airflow obstruction was evaluated at discharge for only 20 (54%) patients.CONCLUSION: Overall, asthma management at discharge from the ED was generally not in accordance with the 1999 Canadian asthma guidelines. A standardized management plan should be implemented in the ED to improve the care of patients with asthma exacerbations.

Barriers to efficient provision of healthcare facilities: an experience from a developing country.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatima Fakir Musharraf ◽  
Anooja Rani
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Low Literacy ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Large Tertiary Care ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Tertiary Healthcare ◽  
System 2 ◽  
Tertiary Care Hospitals

Pakistan has nearly 200 million people, of which almost 20 million people live in Karachi, which has 17 tertiary care hospitals, and it is no secret that they are overburdened (1). Despite the healthcare workers’ competency, several issues hinder administering proper care in a tertiary healthcare setup. Firstly, spatial distancing-spatial access to facilities within a hospital also proves a challenge for patients. Patients have little idea regarding specific departments in a large tertiary care hospital due to low literacy rates compounded with a lack of health literacy. At times many patients have reportedly circled the hospital twice and can still not find their desired specialist. A study conducted in Delhi that closely matches Karachi in demographics suggested that patients with one-time visits to secondary care facilities had lower follow-up rates than those who were more familiar with the system (2). Patients may take time to acclimatize to healthcare setup when visiting as first-timers, and if found too challenging to adapt, they may not make an effort again. Unsurprisingly, this renders many facilities- the administration spends, sometimes a fortune, procuring- useless. Continuous...

scholarly journals Surgical outcome of isolated congenital supravalvular pulmonary stenosis: a case series

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vikas Kumar ◽  
Sachin Mahajan ◽  
Vivek Jaswal ◽  
Shyam Kumar Singh Thingnam
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Stenosis ◽  
Main Pulmonary Artery ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Surgical Correction ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Constriction Band ◽  
Supravalvular Stenosis ◽  
Mid Term Results

Abstract Background Supravalvular stenosis of main pulmonary artery is a rare anomaly characterized by the presence of constriction band just above the pulmonary valve. It is mostly acquired after intervention on the pulmonary trunk or less commonly is congenital in origin associated with complex congenital cardiac malformations and very rarely can present as an isolated native congenital supravalvular pulmonary stenosis (SPS). Case summary We present a series of four cases of isolated congenital SPS who underwent surgical correction at our tertiary care institute over 8 years. Mean age of the patients was 2.25 ± 0.96 years with all of them being males. Mean peak systolic gradient across the stenosis was 82 ± 21.48 mmHg ranging from 60 mmHg to 110 mmHg. There was no early and medium-term mortality with 100% survival at mean follow-up of 31 months (range 7–85 months). Discussion Surgical correction of congenital SPS carries excellent early and mid-term results with almost no mortality and very low risk of re-intervention for restenosis.

Laser Therapy for Refractory Myringitis in Children

2002 ◽  
Vol 127 (3) ◽  
pp. 163-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank P. Fechner ◽  
Michael J. Cunningham ◽  
Roland D. Eavey
Keyword(s):  
Laser Treatment ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Laser Technique ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Tympanic Membrane Perforations ◽  
Specialty Hospital ◽  
Associated Symptoms ◽  
Initial Results

OBJECTIVE: We present the application and initial results of a CO2 laser technique for the treatment of medically refractory chronic granular myringitis (CGM). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective case series of 15 treated ears in 13 consecutive patients between the ages of 6 and 14 years (median age, 9.0 years) cared for in a tertiary care specialty hospital. RESULTS: Eleven of 15 treated ears had total resolution of CGM and associated symptoms; median follow-up time was 10 months. Three ears were improved, and 1 ear remained unchanged. Three of 5 preoperative tympanic membrane perforations healed after laser treatment; 1 patient developed a postoperative, dry perforation. Hearing was not impaired in any patient tested. CONCLUSION: Preliminary results suggest that CGM, when refractory to medical treatment, can often be treated effectively by a single laser treatment.

Long-Term Hearing Outcomes following Total Ossicular Reconstruction with Titanium Prostheses

2019 ◽  
Vol 161 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Burton Wood ◽  
Robert Yawn ◽  
Anne Sun Lowery ◽  
Brendan P. O’Connell ◽  
David Haynes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Ossicular Chain ◽  
Tertiary Care Center ◽  
Ossicular Chain Reconstruction ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Hearing Outcomes

Objective(1) Characterize a large cohort of patients undergoing total ossicular chain reconstruction with titanium prosthesis. (2) Analyze long-term hearing outcomes of the same cohort.Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingTertiary care center.Subject and MethodsThis study reviews patients who underwent total ossicular chain reconstruction (OCR) with titanium prostheses (TORPs) at a single tertiary care center from 2005 to 2015. Patient charts were reviewed for demographic data, diagnosis, and operative details. Patients were included in statistical analysis if length of follow-up was 2 years or more. Evaluation of hearing improvement was made by comparing preoperative air-bone gap (ABG) and ABG at follow-up at 2 years.ResultsIn total, 153 patients were identified who met inclusion criteria. The mean age of included patients was 40 years (range, 6-89 years). Sixty patients (39%) had a history of OCR, and 120 patients (78%) had a diagnosis of cholesteatoma at the time of OCR. Preoperatively, the mean ABG was 36 ± 12, whereas the mean ABG at 2-year follow-up improved to 26 ± 13. This was statistically significant ( P < .0001) using a Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test. Twelve patients (8%) required revision OCR. Two revisions were performed due to prosthesis extrusion (<1%).ConclusionTitanium prostheses lead to significant improvement in hearing over long periods. The results are sustained as far out as 5 years following surgery. In addition, rates of revision surgery with titanium TORPs are low. Based on this series, there are no readily identifiable predictors for outcomes following total OCR.

Laryngotracheal Reconstruction in Adults Aged 60 Years and Older

2019 ◽  
Vol 160 (6) ◽  
pp. 1065-1070 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saad C. Rehman ◽  
Deborah X. Xie ◽  
James R. Bekeny ◽  
Alexander Gelbard ◽  
Christopher T. Wootten
Keyword(s):  
Complete Blood Count ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Tracheal Resection ◽  
Distribution Width ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Laryngotracheal Reconstruction ◽  
Airway Reconstruction

Objective The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and execution of major open laryngotracheal operations for patients in the advanced decades. Study Design Case series with chart review. Setting Multidisciplinary clinic at a tertiary care academic hospital. Subjects and Methods Patient characteristics, operative course, and postoperative outcomes were retrospectively recorded for all airway reconstruction operations performed between 1999 and 2016 on patients aged ≥60 years Long-term success was defined as prosthesis-free survival at last follow-up. Descriptive statistics were performed. Results Twenty-nine patients met inclusion criteria, and the median age was 71 years (interquartile range, 63-74). Tracheal resection was the most common procedure (13 patients), followed by laryngotracheal reconstruction (7 patients). Fifteen patients began their operation with a tracheostomy, 6 of whom underwent decannulation prior to leaving the operating room. Three additional patients underwent decannulation at follow-up appointments and were prosthesis-free at most recent follow-up. The mean time to decannulation among these patients was 3 months. Of the 14 patients beginning their procedure without a tracheostomy, only 2 required permanent airway prosthesis. The overall long-term rate of prosthesis-free survival was 72.4% (21 of 29 patients). Factors suggestive of long-term success include lower McCaffrey grade and lack of pulmonary disease, hypertension, or diabetes, as well as decreased red blood cell distribution width on preoperative complete blood count. Conclusion Through careful patient selection, preoperative workup, and meticulous postoperative care, airway reconstruction procedures in patients aged ≥60 years are reasonably successful. Of 29 patients, 21 (72.4%) were successfully breathing long-term without airway prosthesis.

Carcinoids of the ampulla: Long-term follow-up after endoscopic resection.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 430-430
Author(s):  
George Nyasha Baison ◽  
Nadav Sahar ◽  
Morgan M Bonds ◽  
Janelle F Rekman ◽  
Flavio G. Rocha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endoscopic Resection ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Benign Lesion ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Case Series ◽  
World Health ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Well Differentiated

430 Background: Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) or carcinoids of the ampulla are exceedingly rare in comparison to duodenal NET. Surgical management is widely accepted as the treatment of choice, but for patients that refuse surgery or are poor operative candidates, endoscopic resection may be option. We present a consecutive case series at a tertiary care center describing our experience with endoscopic resection of ampullary NET. Methods: This is a restrospective review with a long-term follow-up of patients with ampullary NET that were endoscopically resected. Outcomes were analyzed based on the histopathologic classification system proposed by the World Health Organization in 2000. Results: Twelve patients (9 male, 3 female), ranging in age from 41 to 86 (mean 59) underwent endoscopic ampullectomy for ampullary NET, with a mean follow-up time of 5 years. Patients had refused surgery or were poor surgical candidates. All, but one incidentally found case, were symptomatic on presentation, with gastrointestinal bleeding being the main symptom. No patients had a hormonal syndrome. The mean size of the lesions was 21 mm (6 mm to 35 cm). Six (50%) patients had a well-differentiated, benign lesion, 6 (50%) patients had a well-differentiated NET with unknown malignant potential (gangliocytic paragangliomas). Eight (67%) were completely excised during the initial endoscopy with 4 requiring re-excision. Only 2 patients developed recurrence, after 2.5 and 10 years and this necessitated a pancreaticoduodenectomy. Five patients had complications (2 for bleeding and 3 for post-ERCP pancreatitis), with zero deaths. Conclusions: Unlike duodenal carcinoids, ampullary NET are rare. Pancreaticoduodenectomy can be offered to fit patients except for gangliocytic paragangliomas that do not require an aggressive operation. However, for those that refuse surgery or are poor candidates, endoscopic ampullectomy can be an option with acceptable short and long-term outcomes.

scholarly journals A Conscious Sedation Protocol for Videolaryngostroboscopy in Pediatric Patients

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Anne ◽  
Lawrence M. Borland ◽  
Laura Haibeck ◽  
Joseph E. Dohar
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Conscious Sedation ◽  
Treatment Plan ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Diagnostic Information ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Sedation Protocol

Objective. To determine best sedation protocol for videolaryngostroboscopy in children unable to tolerate non-sedated evaluation.Materials and Methods.Consecutive case series of 10 children with voice disturbances, unable to tolerate nonsedated videolaryngostroboscopy at an academic tertiary care children’s hospital. Flexible fiberoptic videolaryngostroboscopy was performed and interpreted by pediatric otolaryngologist and speech and language pathologist. Sedation was administered with newly described protocol that allowed functional portion of evaluation.Main Outcome Measures: ability to follow commands and tolerate flexible fiberoptic videolaryngostroboscopy.Secondary Outcome Measures: total phonation time, complications, need for subsequent videolaryngostroboscopic attempts, clinical outcomes, and follow-up.Results. 10 children underwent procedure under conscious sedation. 9/10 children were able to perform simple tasks and maintain adequate phonation time to complete stroboscopic exam. 1/10 patients failed to complete exam because of crying during entire exam. Mean exam time was 2 minutes 52 seconds (SD 86 seconds), phonation time is 1 minute 44 seconds (SD 60 seconds), and number of tasks completed was 10.5 (SD 8.6).Conclusions. Conscious sedation for videolaryngostroboscopy can be safely and effectively performed in children unable to comply with nonsedated examination. Such studies provide valuable diagnostic information to make a diagnosis and to devise a treatment plan.

Acupuncture in the Treatment of Fibromyalgia in Tertiary Care – a Case Series

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 137-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Duncan ◽  
Adrian White ◽  
Anisur Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Acupuncture Treatment ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Symptomatic Improvement ◽  
Chronic Widespread Pain ◽  
Questionnaire Score ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Acupuncture Research

Aims Fibromyalgia is a common cause of chronic widespread pain. The benefit of medication is often limited by its side effects, and the improvements obtained with exercise and education are inconsistent. Many patients seek acupuncture treatment, which is reported to be helpful in some cases. This study aimed to explore the acceptability and benefits of acupuncture offered in the setting of a tertiary referral clinic. Methods An open, uncontrolled observational study was conducted among patients who met the usual fibromyalgia criteria and who had a pain score of at least 30 on a 100mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Patients were allowed to continue other treatments but not to introduce new ones. Acupuncture was given using a Western approach according to a protocol developed by consensus. Patients were offered eight treatments in eight weeks. Outcome measures included VAS of pain intensity and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (range 0 – 100), and were taken before and after treatment, and at 14, 20 and 34 weeks from enrolment. Results Twenty four eligible patients were enrolled in a 12 month period. Baseline mean pain VAS score for these 24 patients was 74 (SD 18) and mean Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire score 78 (SD 12.4). Only 14 patients completed the course of treatment within about 10 weeks. Compliance was poor in the remaining patients because of difficulty attending clinic, and in two cases because of exacerbation of pain. Completion of outcome measures was variable and therefore the analysis of data is limited. Five patients scored at least 20% reduction in Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire score which is a clinically relevant improvement. Two of these scored at least 50% reduction. Conclusion Acupuncture appears to offer symptomatic improvement to some patients with fibromyalgia in a tertiary clinic who have failed to respond to other treatments. In view of its safety, further acupuncture research is justified in this population.

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