Does the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic really increase the frequency of peripheral facial palsy?

PURPOSE: Publications about increased number of peripheral facial paralysis in the COVID-19 pandemic emerged in the literature. However, these studies comprised of an estimate rather than a broad analysis of exact numbers. In this study, we planned to investigate whether the pandemic really resulted in an increase in facial paralysis cases admitted to the hospital by evaluating the cases who applied to our hospital due to facial paralysis in the COVID-19 pandemic year and in the previous 4 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who applied to our hospital due to facial paralysis between March 2016-February 2017 (Group 1), between March 2017-February 2018 (Group 2), between March 2018-February 2019 (Group 3), between March 2019-February 2020 (Group 4), and between March 2020-February 2021 (Group 5) were investigated and detailed data were noted. RESULTS: 156, 164, 149, 172 and 157 patients were admitted to the hospital due to peripheral facial paralysis in Group 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. Of these patients, 155, 164, 145, 169, and 153 were Bell's palsy, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test was positive in only 2 of the 153 patients who were diagnosed in the year of the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the number of peripheral facial paralysis detected during the COVID-19 pandemic was similar to previous years. Very few number of positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test results may have been found incidentally in Bell's palsy patients. Theses stating that SARS-CoV-2 causes peripheral facial paralysis should be supported by laboratory studies and postmortem research.

Does Hypochlorous Acid Cause Ototoxicity? An Experimental Study.

AIM: Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a weak acid that ionizes in water. It is an effective antiseptic exhibiting low toxicity on living tissues. We aimed to investigate the ototoxic effects of HOCl on an animal model by using electrophysiological and histological methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised 32 Sprague-Dawley rats, which were separated into four groups: control group (A), saline solution group (B), 70% isopropyl alcohol + 2% chlorhexidine group (C), and HOCl group (D). After recording the auditory brainstem response (ABR) for basal hearing thresholds (8, 16, 24, and 32 kHz), 0.03 ml of the aforementioned materials was injected intratympanically three times every 2 days in groups B, C, and D. ABR measurements were repeated on the 7th and 21st days. All animals were sacrificed, and temporal bones were prepared for examinations of cochlear histology and vascular endothelial growth factor immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Basal hearing levels were normal across all frequencies and groups, with no statistical differentiation. On the 7th and 21st days after the ABR test, all other groups demonstrated a significant deterioration in hearing levels compared with group A. When the results from 7th and 21st days were compared within group D, a partial recovery was observed. In histopathology, groups C and D demonstrated moderate and severe cochlear degeneration, along with decreased immunoreactivity in the organ of Corti, stria vascularis, and spiral ligament. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to evaluate the safety of using HOCl in otology. Although HOCI is less ototoxic than the disinfectant used, it may have a toxic effect on cochlea.Level of Evidence: Animal Research.

Evaluation of nasal pathologies accompanying rhinoplasty cases at otorhinolaryngology and plastic, reconstructive, & aesthetic surgery clinics.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Rhinoplasty is a frequently performed surgical procedure. Besides an aesthetically successful outcome, determination of additional nasal pathologies and making a simultaneous intervention on these are also essential for a successful functional outcome. This study aims to determine the rates of accompanying nasal pathologies in patients undergoing rhinoplasty and reveals whether any additional interventions were performed during operation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 496 Caucasian Turkish patients who underwent rhinoplasty at the Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery and Otorhinolaryngology clinics of our research hospital between 2015 and 2018 were retrospectively examined. Among them, the results of 271 patients who had preoperative paranasal computerized tomography scans were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age of the 271 patients was 28.8 years (Range: 17-55). Among them, 156 (57%) were female and 115 (42%) were male. The numbers of patients with septal deviation, inferior concha hypertrophy, unilateral/bilateral concha bullosa, nasal polyp, mucosal thickening, and retention cysts at the Otorhinolaryngology clinic were found to be 126 (82%), 77 (50%), 20 (13%), 10 (6.5%), 77 (50%), and 41 (27%), respectively, and these numbers were respectively 97 (82%), 60 (51%), 11 (9.3%), 2 (1.7%), 57 (48%), and 17 (14%) at the Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery clinic. A statistically significant difference was found in terms of the presence of retention cysts between the clinics (95% CI -0.11% to 0.16%; P=.014; P<.005), and the presence of retention cysts was significantly higher at the Otorhinolaryngology clinic. A total of 18 (12%) patients were found to have additional surgical interventions. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that additional nasal pathologies were frequently present in patients undergoing rhinoplasty operations. Hence, for a successful operation, it is essential to have Otorhinolaryngology consultation and detect accompanying pathologies in rhinoplasty cases which will be performed by Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery specialists. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.