COVID-19 in otolaryngologists: a cross-sectional multicenter study

Abstract Introduction: The nose and throat are areas of high viral load, which could place otolaryngologists at an even higher risk for COVID-19 than other health-care workers. Objective: To investigate the prevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in otorhinolaryngologists in southern Brazil, its relationship to demographic data, professional practice and reported symptoms of COVID-19, and compare it with official data on other health-care workers of the state and the general population in the same period. Methods: In this cross-sectional multicenter study, otolaryngologists actively practicing officially registered in Rio Grande do Sul were screened for IgM and IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 from August 1 to September 15, 2020. A questionnaire was also applied. Results: We screened 358 (80.1%) of 447 actively practicing otolaryngologists (195 [54.5%] male; mean [SD] age, 47.77 [13.57] years; range, 26-84 years). Twenty-three were positive for IgM and/or IgG (6.4%). This result was significantly associated with reports of infected household contacts (19/315 negatives and 8/23 positives; p<0.001). From 23 seropositive participants, 14 were asymptomatic (60.9%; p< 0.001). There were no significant associations between seroconversion and age, sex, number of patient appointments and surgical procedures, workplace (hospital or private practice), patients with or without respiratory symptoms, or level of personal protective equipment used. The rate of COVID-19 in all health-care workers in the state was 7.69% at the end of the same period. Data from state government seroprevalence was 5.26 (risk ratio [RR]; 95% CI 3.27-8.45) and 4.66 (RR; 95% CI 2.93-7.43) times higher in otolaryngologists than in the general population in August and September, respectively. Conclusion: Otolaryngologists had a higher seroconversion rate than the general population. Using personal protective equipment, the level of occupational exposure did not result in higher rates of infection than other health-care workers, but the presence of infected household contacts was associated with higher rates of seroconversion.

Bola fúngica dos seios paranasais: Relato de dois casos e revisão de literatura / Fungus ball of the paranasal sinuses: Report of two cases and literature review

Introdução: Bola fúngica dos seios paranasais é uma infecção não invasiva que se caracteriza por sua cronicidade, sendo a maioria relacionada com tratamento endodôntico prévio. Acomete principalmente o seio maxilar, embora todos os seios possam ser envolvidos. O principal agente etiológico é o Aspergillus spp. A tomografia computadorizada, devido às apresentações radiológicas características, sugere o diagnóstico que é realizado definitivamente através de análises histopatológicas. O tratamento padrão-ouro é a cirurgia sinusal endoscópica com antrostomia meatal média. Objetivo: Relatar dois casos de bola fúngica dos seios paranasais e ressaltar aspectos importantes desta patologia. Relato dos Casos: Caso 1) Paciente do sexo feminino, 78 anos, apresentou-se com queixas de dor facial há 6 meses e história prévia de tratamento endodôntico. Ao exame físico constatou-se a presença de secreção purulenta em meato médio esquerdo. O Raio X apresentou velamento completo do seio maxilar esquerdo, enquanto a tomografia computadorizada mostrou lesão calcificada neste local. Realizou-se sinusotomia que evoluiu bem. Caso 2) Paciente do sexo feminino, 70 anos, procurou atendimento por história de sinusites de repetição. Ao exame físico não se percebeu nenhuma particularidade. A tomografia computadorizada, assim como a ressonância magnética, detectou espessamento da parede mucosa do seio maxilar esquerdo, além de uma massa calcificada. Realizou-se a mesma sequência de tratamento e a paciente também evoluiu bem. Considerações finais: A infecção fúngica deve ser considerada nos pacientes que se apresentam com sinusite crônica, que não respondem ao uso de antibióticos e que possuem história de manipulação endodôntica...

Introduction: Fungal ball of the sinuses is a not invasive infection that if characterizes for its chronicity, being the majority related with previous endodontic treatment. Affect mainly the breasts to maxillary; even so all the breasts can be involved. The main etiological agent is the Aspergillus spp. The computed tomography, had to characteristic the radiological presentations, suggests the diagnosis that is carried through definitively through histopathological analyses. The treatment standard-gold is the sinus surgery with average meatal antrostomy. Objective: Reporting two cases of fungal ball of the sinuses and to stand out important aspects of this pathology. Story of the Cases: Case 1) Patient of the feminine sex, 78 years old, presented itself with complaints of face pain has 6 months and previous history of endodontic treatment. To the physical examination it was evidenced purulent secretion presence in left average meatus. Ray X presented complete veiling of the breasts to maxillary left, while the computed tomography showed injury calcified in this place. Sinusotomy was become fulfilled that evolved well. Case 2) Patient of the feminine sex, 70 years old, looked attendance for history of sinusitis of repetition. To the physical examination no particularity was not perceived. The computed tomography, as well as the magnetic resonance, detected thickening of the mucous wall of the breasts to maxillary left, beyond a calcified mass. It was become fulfilled same sequence of treatment and the patient also evolved well. Final Considerations: The fungal infection must be considered in the patients who if present with chronic sinusitis, that they do not answer to the antibiotic use and that they possess history of endodontic manipulation...

Granuloma de células gigantes de seio maxilar: relato de um caso / Giant cell granuloma of maxilar sinus: a case report

O granuloma de células gigantes é uma lesäo benigna e rara, que acomete preferencialmente a mandíbula e a maxila, podendo ser localmente agressiva e resultar em grande destruiçäo tecidual em casos avançados. Neste artigo é apresentado um caso de granuloma de células gigantes no seio maxilar de uma paciente jovem, que foi manejado cirurgicamente através de uma maxilectomia parcial. Os autores ressaltam os principais aspectos dessa doença através de uma revisäo bibliográfica

Angina instável / Unstable angina

O objetivo do presente trabalho é revisar os aspectos que envolvem a Angina Instável (AI) sob os mais diferentes pontos de vista, desde a sua conceituaçao até os variados métodos de tratamento. Consideram os autores que assim é possível estabelecer uma atualizaçao ampla a respeito de tao importante síndrome.