COVID-19 in the Clinic: Aerosol Containment Mask for Endoscopic Otolaryngologic Clinic Procedures

Objective To create an aerosol containment mask (ACM) that contains aerosols during common otolaryngologic endoscopic procedures while protecting patients from environmental aerosols. Study Design Bench testing. Setting Mannequin testing. Methods The mask was designed in SolidWorks and 3-dimensional printed. Mannequins were fitted with a nebulizer to generate aerosols. Commercial particle counters were used to measure mask performance. Results The ACM has 2 ports on either side for instruments and endoscopes, a port for a filter, and a port that can evacuate aerosols contained within the mask via a standard suction pump. The mask contained aerosols on a mannequin with and without facial hair when the suction was set to 18.5 L/min. Other types of masks demonstrated substantial aerosol leakage under similar conditions. In a subsequent experiment, the ACM contained aerosols generated by a nebulizer up to the saturation of the particle detector without measurable leakage with or without suction. Conclusion The ACM will accommodate rigid and flexible endoscopes plus instruments and prevent leakage of patient-generated aerosols, thus avoiding contamination of the room and protecting health care workers from airborne contagions. Level of evidence 2.

Current methods of the diagnosis and treatment of intracranial otogenic and rhinogenic complications

On the basis of the archival material of the Kazan otolaryngologic clinic, the comparative analysis of intracra-nial rhinogenic and otogenic pathology is performed by stages. In the presence of a general decrease of the intracranial complications rate during the last 20 years in this pathology structure the combined lesions prevail, which determines the high level of lethality. Computer tomography and particularly MRT-tomography allow to reveal the infection focus in the skull cavity and to define the adequate surgical tactics.