Challenging Diagnosis of Invasive Sinus Aspergillosis Mimicking Gradenigo's Syndrome in an Elderly Patient with T-Cell Lymphoma.

(1) Background: Gradenigo's Syndrome (GS) is a rare complication of acute otitis media characterized by the triad of diplopia, otitis, and facial pain. The widespread use of antibiotics has significantly reduced its occurrence. (2) Case summary: We present the case of an elderly patient with T-cell lymphoma who developed neurological deficits resembling GS. The patient was ultimately diagnosed with invasive sinus aspergillosis. The diagnostic process was challenging due to the atypical clinical presentation and the lack of specific imaging findings. A biopsy was the most important test for clarifying the diagnosis. (3) Conclusions: The prognosis for this complication is extremely poor without surgery, and the patient died despite adequate antifungal coverage. Therefore, maintaining high clinical suspicion is paramount to avoid adverse outcomes in similar cases, particularly in the geriatric population, wherein this syndrome's occurrence may not be expected.

Surgical Tracheostomies in COVID-19 Patients: Indications, Technique, and Results in a Second-Level Spanish Hospital.

OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of this work is to describe the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of intensive care unit (ICU) patients in a second-level hospital in Madrid, Spain, focusing in those who underwent surgical tracheostomy during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The surgical technique and associated complications are also detailed. STUDY DESIGN: Observational and historical cohort. SETTING: Single center. METHODS: Eighty-three intubated COVID-19 patients were analyzed. Thirty bedside surgical tracheostomies had been performed following our safety protocol. RESULTS: Data from 83 patients admitted to the ICU in Infanta Leonor University Hospital were collected; 74.7% were male. The average age was 59.7 years. The main comorbidities found were hypertension in 51.8%, diabetes mellitus in 25.3%, asthma in 7.2%, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 3.6%. A surgical tracheostomy was carried out in 36.1% of patients who needed a prolonged intubation. The most frequent complication of the surgical procedure, bleeding, occurred in 30%, but the majority were mild and ceased with compression only. The most relevant complication was local infection, which occurred in 26.7% of patients. There were statistically significant differences in the time from the beginning of mechanical ventilation until weaning between tracheostomized and nontracheostomized patients. The mortality rate of patients who underwent tracheostomy was 56.7%. Despite severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 being highly contagious and tracheostomy being considered a high-risk procedure, our rate of infected ear, nose, and throat specialists was only 11.8%. CONCLUSION: In our experience, bedside surgical tracheostomy is a safe procedure in COVID-19 patients when safety protocols are followed.

[Revision of surgical treatment of rhinosinusitis]. / Revisión del tratamiento quirúrgico de la rinosinusitis.

The aim of this revision paper is to provide an update of available resources to achieve the best endoscopic sinus surgery outcomes of adult rhinosinusitis. The cause and mechanisms of rhinosinusitis remain unknown, and curative treatment does not exist. Recent new insights into paranasal sinus pathophysiology, along with technical advances in imaging and endoscopy, have revolutionised surgical treatment of rhinosinusitis. Since an increasing number of patients undergo functional endoscopic sinus surgery as a therapeutic regimen for their disease, appropriate use of computed tomography is critical in providing a "roadmap" for the surgeon to delimit the surgical procedure, as well as to ensure safety and accuracy. With proper training and technique, endoscopic surgery is quite safe, but prevention and management of complications must be known.