Airway Sequelae After Mechanical Ventilation for COVID-19: Protocol for a Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology, morbidity, and burden of disease related to airway sequelae associated with invasive mechanical ventilation in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: This scoping review aims to summarize the current knowledge regarding airway sequelae after severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. This knowledge will help guide research endeavors and decision-making in clinical practice. METHODS: This scoping review will include participants of all genders, and no particular age group who developed post-COVID-19 airway-related complication will be excluded. No exclusion criteria will be applied from country, language, or document type. The information source will include analytical observational studies. Unpublished data will not be completely covered as gray literature will be covered. A total of 2 independent reviewers will participate in the process of screening, selection, and data extraction, and the whole process will be performed blindly. Conflict between the reviewers will be solved through discussion and an additional reviewer. The results will be reported by using descriptive statistics, and information will be displayed on RedCap (Research Electronic Data Capture). RESULTS: The literature search was conducted in May 2022 in the following databases: PubMed, Embase, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library, as well as LILACS and gray literature to identify observational studies; a total of 738 results were retrieved. The scoping review will be finished by March 2023. CONCLUSIONS: This scoping review will describe current knowledge on the most frequently encountered laryngeal or tracheal sequelae in patients exposed to mechanical ventilation due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This scoping review will find the incidence of airway sequelae post COVID-19 and the most common sequelae such as airway granuloma, vocal fold paralysis, and airway stenoses. Future studies should evaluate the incidence of these disorders. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/41811.

Cricoid Cartilage Hypertrophy as the Cause of Larynx Stenoses: Case Report and Updated Literature Review.

Aerodigestive obstruction due to cricoid hypertrophy is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition. We present a two-year-old female patient who displayed repetitive respiratory infections, swallowing disorder, and malnutrition without any eye signs or symptoms of airway alterations. We described a patient with aerodigestive obstruction generating a marked narrowing of the trachea immediately below the larynx due to severe thickening of the cricoid cartilage. She was successfully treated with surgery, and the clinical and radiological features of this condition are presented here with a review of the literature.

Laryngotracheal Stenoses Post-Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome due to COVID-19: Clinical Presentation, Histopathological Findings and Management. A Series of 12 Cases.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has increased the risk of developing severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and subsequent moderate to severe laryngotracheal stenoses (LSTs) with an early presentation that occurs between two and three months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. We present a series of 12 cases of LST following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Dense lymphocyte infiltration with multinuclear giant cell granulomas was found on biopsy with intranuclear inclusions, suggestive of viral cytopathic effects in one case and intravascular fibrin thrombi with perivascular mononuclear infiltrate of CD3 + T lymphocytes. We present the largest and only series that describes clinical and histopathological characteristics of LTS and the management and outcomes after early laryngotracheal reconstruction in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak.

Tiroidectomía en polineuropatía desmielinizante aguda para paciente con enfermedad de Graves: a propósito de un caso / Thyroidectomy in acute demyelinating polyneuropathy for a patient with Graves' disease: a case report

RESUMEN Existen pocos estudios que describan las complicaciones neuromusculares del hipertiroidismo. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 36 años con antecedente de enfermedad de Graves en manejo médico, quien presentó compromiso motor y sensitivo progresivo en extremidades inferiores hasta comprometer la marcha. La electromiografía fue compatible con polineuropatía desmielinizante aguda, la resonancia nuclear magnética sugirió síndrome de Guillain-Barré. Se proporcionó manejo con plasmaféresis y se ajustó tratamiento tiroideo presentando mejoría transitoria. Posteriormente presentó deterioro neurológico con debilidad ascendente y compromiso deglutorio; a pesar de inicio de ciclo de inmunoglobulina persistió empeoramiento clínico con requerimiento de soporte ventilatorio; se decidió realizar tiroidectomía, que resultó en mejoría clínica y resolución del cuadro.

ABSTRACT There are few studies that describe the neuromuscular complications of hyperthyroidism. We present the case of a 36-year-old woman with a history of Graves' disease in medical management, who presented motor and sensitive involvement in the lower limbs until compromising gait. Electromyography was compatible with acute demyelinating polyneuropathy, nuclear magnetic resonance suggested Guillain-Barré syndrome. Management with plasmapheresis was indicated, and thyroid therapy was adjusted with transient improvement. Subsequently, she presented neurological deterioration with ascending weakness and swallowing compromise; despite an immunoglobulin cycle regimen, clinical worsening persisted with the requirement of ventilatory support; thyroidectomy was performed resulting in clinical improvement and resolution of the condition.

Widening of posterior glottis through rotation of the arytenoid on its axis: Report of nine cases.

INTRODUCTION: Bilateral vocal folds' immobility is a challenge in laryngology. Multiple procedures have been proposed to improve breathing by statically enlarging the glottal airway, what also results in loss of voice and aspiration. We proposed a technique to enlarge the posterior glottis by rotating the arytenoids on its axis, imitating the function of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle, with the objective of evaluating the results regarding decannulation, voice quality, and bronchoaspiration. METHODS: This study is a clinical case series of patients with bilateral vocal fold paralysis who underwent an arytenoid rotation surgery at a single tertiary university care institution between 2011 and 2017. Data were prospectively collected and was complemented with information from medical charts. Patients were assessed for decannulation, dyspnea, posterior glottic opening, quality of voice, and swallowing disorders. RESULTS: Nine patients were included in the study. Out of three patients who required tracheostomy, two were successfully decannulated. Six patients reported a significant improvement in their dyspnea, while four patients reported a worsening of their voice. The stroboscopy evidenced a posterior glottic opening of at least 7 mm in six patients. Eight patients had no aspiratory symptoms, and the acoustic analysis showed that only one patient has a normal voice. CONCLUSION: The arytenoid rotation on its axis by imitating the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle preserves the physiological functions of the larynx, which allows sufficient opening of the posterior glottis for breathing, and could alter in a lesser extent the anterior glottis to maintain a good quality of voice and swallowing.