Sphenoid Lymphoma: A Diagnostic Challenge.

Sphenoid sinus lesions grasp the attention of Otorhinolaryngologists due to their prime location and vital surrounding structures. Once detected, these lesions require prompt investigation to identify the underlying cause, usually attributed to a tumor, fungal infection, sinusitis, or polyps, thus allowing tailored treatment. We report a case of an elderly lady whose neurological presentation lead to the diagnosis of sphenoid sinus lymphoma. We discuss the diagnostic challenge in view of its interesting presenting symptoms as well as the surgical approach risk and limitations.

Management of Traumatic and Non-Traumatic Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea-Experience from Three Southeast Asian Countries.

BACKGROUND: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea requires proper management to avoid disastrous consequences. The objectives of this study were to ascertain the patient characteristics, etiologies, sites of defect, skull base configurations, methods of investigation, and management outcomes of CSF rhinorrhea. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed over 4 years involving three surgeons from Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. Hospital records were reviewed to determine the patients' characteristics, the causes and sites of leaks, methods of investigation, skull base configurations, choices of treatment, and outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 15 cases (7 traumatic and 8 non-traumatic) were included. Imaging was performed in all cases. The most common site of leakage was the cribriform plate (9/15 cases). The mean ± SD of the Keros heights were 4.43 ± 1.66 (right) and 4.21 ± 1.76 mm (left). Type II Keros was the most common (60%). The mean ± SD angles of the cribriform plate slope were 51.91 ± 13.43 degrees (right) and 63.54 ± 12.64 degrees (left). A class II Gera configuration was the most common (80%). All except two patients were treated with endonasal endoscopic surgical repair, with a success rate of 92.3%. A multilayered repair technique was used in all patients except one. The mean ± SD postoperative hospital stay was 9.07 ± 6.17 days. CONCLUSIONS: Non-traumatic CSF rhinorrhea outnumbered traumatic CSF rhinorrhea, with the most common site of leak at the cribriform plate. Imaging plays an important role in investigation, and Gera classification appears to be better than Keros classification for evaluating risk. Both conservative and surgical repairs are practiced with successful outcomes. Endonasal endoscopic CSF leak repair is the mainstay treatment.

Pediatric Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis: An Aggressive Presentation.

Encountering a young child with an enlarging painless facial swelling often raises concerns in the treating physician about the possibility of a congenital lesion or an unfavorable pediatric tumor. We discuss a case of a female child who presented with multiple craniofacial swellings, which turned out to be Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). She was subsequently diagnosed with multisystem LCH (MS-LCH) with risk-organ involvement, which included the craniofacial bones, skin, hemopoietic system, and liver. We analyze the various presentations and systemic complications of this rare pediatric tumor, LCH, with an aim to address the diagnostic dilemma associated with this great masquerader.

Self-reported symptom study of COVID-19 chemosensory dysfunction in Malaysia.

Alterations in the three chemosensory modalities-smell, taste, and chemesthesis-have been implicated in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), yet emerging data suggest a wide geographic and ethnic variation in the prevalence of these symptoms. Studies on chemosensory disorders in COVID-19 have predominantly focused on Caucasian populations whereas Asians remain understudied. We conducted a nationwide, multicentre cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire on a cohort of RT-PCR-confirmed adult COVID-19 patients in Malaysia between 6 June and 30 November 2020. The aim of our study was to investigate their presenting symptoms and assess their chemosensory function using self-ratings of perceived smell, taste, chemesthesis, and nasal blockage. In this cohort of 498 patients, 41.4% reported smell and/or taste loss when diagnosed with COVID-19, which was the commonest symptom. Blocked nose, loss of appetite, and gastrointestinal disturbances were independent predictors of smell and/or taste loss on multivariate analysis. Self-ratings of chemosensory function revealed a reduction in smell, taste, and chemesthesis across the entire cohort of patients that was more profound among those reporting smell and/or taste loss as their presenting symptom. Perceived nasal obstruction accounted for only a small proportion of changes in smell and taste, but not for chemesthesis, supporting viral disruption of sensorineural mechanisms as the dominant aetiology of chemosensory dysfunction. Our study suggests that chemosensory dysfunction in COVID-19 is more widespread than previously reported among Asians and may be related to the infectivity of viral strains.Study Registration: NMRR-20-934-54803 and NCT04390165.

Nasal Irrigation as Treatment in Sinonasal Symptoms Relief: A Review of Its Efficacy and Clinical Applications.

Nasal irrigations have been used for centuries without any scientific data to determine its efficacy. Despite their widespread use, much confusion exist about the mechanism of action, preparation, indications and therapeutic advantage of nasal irrigations. Anecdotal evidence and poorly controlled studies add to the confusion. Recent evidence provides strong scientific justification of the benefits and advantages of using nasal irrigations in sinonasal symptoms relief. The present review of the evidence based literature highlights its efficacy and clinical applications.