Olfactory and taste dysfunctions caused by COVID-19: a nationwide study.

BACKGROUND: Olfactory dysfunctions (OD) and taste dysfunctions (TD) are widely recognized as characteristic symptoms of COVID-19; however, the frequency and mode of occurrence has varied depending on the viral mutation. The prevalence and characteristics of OD/TD in Japan have not been definitively investigated. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of OD/TD in Japan during the Alpha variant epidemic, and measure symptom prolongation at 6 months and 1 year later following initial infection. METHODS: Patients treated for COVID-19 between February to May 2021 were evaluated for OD/TD symptoms and provided with a QOL questionnaire. Olfactory tests and taste tests were performed using Open Essence and Taste Strips, respectively. RESULTS: Among the 251 COVID-19 patients who participated, 119 underwent both olfactory and taste tests. Prevalence of subjective OD and TD at the time of survey was 57.8% and 40.2%, respectively. After 12 months, the prevalence fell to 5.8% for OD and 3.5% for TD. Among the OD/TD patients, 36.6% experienced parosmia, and 55.4% experienced parageusia. Prevalence of parosmia and parageusia was higher at 6 and 12 months than at the time of survey. Patients with long-lasting disease reported qualitative dysfunctions and scored significantly higher in food-related QOL problems. Most patients who were aware of their hyposmia had low scores on the olfactory test (83.1%). In contrast, only 26.7% of patients who were aware of their hypogeusia had low scores on the taste test. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of COVID-19-related OD and TD at the time of survey was 57.8% and 40.2%, respectively. Subjective symptoms of OD and TD persisted for one year in 5.8% and 3.5% of patients, respectively. More than half of the patients with OD or TD complained of qualitative dysfunction and a decrease in their QOL related to eating and drinking. Most patients with TD did not have true TD, but rather developed flavour disorders associated with OD. This conclusion is supported by the finding that patients with subjective OD had low scores on the olfactory test, whereas most patients with subjective TD had normal scores on the taste test.

Treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss with a continuous epidural block.

The efficacy of a continuous epidural block was evaluated in the treatment of 20 patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Ten patients were treated with continuous cervicothoracic epidural block (group A) and the other 10 were treated with stellate ganglion block (group B). No significant difference in factors affecting prognosis was noted between the groups. In the epidural block group 70% achieved substantial hearing improvement, while this occurred in only 30% of patients undergoing stellate ganglion block. These findings suggest that continuous epidural block can be effective in the treatment of sudden SNHL.

[Efficacy of ring-shape cover in active skin surface warming in neonates--a retrospective comparative study with conventional methods].

UNLABELLED: Prevention of perioperative hypothermia is one of the most essential factor for neonatal anesthesia. Recently the forced-air warming system has been considered the most effective method in preventing perioperative hypothermia in adults, in children, and in infants during maxillofacial operations. However, its use for abdominal or thoracic surgery in neonates has not been examined. In the present study, we studied the effects of the forced-air warmer with a ring-shape cover, and compared this method with the conventional method retrospectively. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixteen neonates, 13 for abdominal and 3 for thoracic surgery were anesthetized with oxygen-air (nitrous oxide) sevoflurane (isoflurane or enflurane) in combination with/without fentanyl. They were divided into two groups; one for forced-air warming (F-group), and another for conventional methods (C-group). The patients' mean age, height and weight, the duration of anesthesia, infusion rate (ml.kg-1.hr-1), and urine output did not differ each other. Patients in F-group were placed in the center of the ring-shape cover and received heated air from their surroundings. We did not use any other warming equipment or means except for an artificial nose and a warming mattress. "Medium" heated air (38 degrees C) or unheated, room temperature air were used when necessary. The operating room temperature was kept around 25 degrees C. Patients in the C-group were placed on a warming mattress and under an infrared radiant heater with the room temperature of 30 degrees C. Their extremities were covered with aluminum-foil. Rectal, deep forehead, and deep sole temperatures were monitored throughout anesthesia. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In F-group, temperatures were well maintained, while C-group failed to maintain. In F-group, the mean value of base excess at the beginning of the operation was -1.8 mM, but it was restored to normal level without administration of sodium bicarbonate. No complications were found. Thus, compared to conventional methods, the forced-air warming system with a ring-shaped cover is an efficient method for body temperature management in neonatal anesthesia.

Spontaneous breathing with the use of a laryngeal mask airway in children: comparison of sevoflurane and isoflurane.

We compared respiratory parameters during anaesthesia with sevoflurane and isoflurane through a laryngeal mask airway (LMA). Children were anaesthetized with O2 and air with 2.3% (1MAC) sevoflurane (n = 20) or 1.5% (1MAC) isoflurane (n = 20). After insertion of LMA, patients were allowed to breathe spontaneously and respiratory rate (RR) and PECO2 were measured (presurgery state). After the measurement, anaesthetic concentration was increased to 1.3 MAC (3.0% sevoflurane or 2.0% isoflurane) and surgical stimulation was added. Fifteen min after incision, the measurements were again performed (during surgery). In the sevoflurane group, mean RR and PECO2 were 32 breaths.min-1, and 6.0 kPa (45 mmHg) respectively, before surgery, and 35 breaths.min-1 and 7.0 kPa (52 mmHg) during surgery. In the isoflurane group, mean RR and PECO2 were 32 breaths.min-1 and 6.1 kPa (46 mmHg) respectively, before surgery, and 37 breaths.min-1 and 6.7 kPa (52 mmHg) during surgery. There were no statistical differences between the two anaesthetic groups. Clinical respiratory and cardiovascular parameters during spontaneous breathing with LMA in children are similar during sevoflurane and isoflurane anaesthesia.

Clinical characteristics and biotransformation of sevoflurane in paediatric patients during antiepileptic drug therapy.

Patients with epilepsy on long term antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy deserve special consideration not only concerning seizure control but also the effect on anaesthetic metabolism and hepatorenal functions. In the present study, we examined the effects of sevoflurane anaesthesia on plasma inorganic fluoride (F-) level and hepatorenal function in patients with and without AED therapy. Twenty-two patients (12 with AEDs = AED group, and ten without AEDs = control group = C group), ASA I, who were free of hepatorenal disease, received approximately 2-3 h sevoflurane anaesthesia. Plasma F- analysis was performed at the stages of: 1) induction of anaesthesia, 2) conclusion of anaesthesia, 3) 15 h after the conclusion of anaesthesia, using an ion-selective electrode calibrated with a standard solution of sodium fluoride. Pre- and postoperative hepatic (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin) and renal (blood urea nitrogen, creatinine) function was tested. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the average age (AED group = 9.4 and control group = 10.1 y.o.), body weight, duration of anesthesia, and MAC hours (2.6 and 2.4). The mean peak F- levels were 15.5 and 13.6 microM, in AED and C groups (not significant), respectively. No patient exhibited F- values greater than 50 microM, the hypothetical nephrotoxic threshold. The patients showed no abnormal values either in hepatic or renal function tests postoperatively. These results suggest approximately 2-3 h sevoflurane anaesthesia to be safe in patients taking AEDs.