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Abstract Background The objective of the study is to compare the conventional microlaryngeal surgery and the CO2 laser in the treatment of cysts of vocal folds, regarding the postoperative quality of voice. This study was conducted on 53 cases with vocal fold cysts. The cases were randomly allocated into two groups: group 1 (27 cases) was operated by the conventional technique, and group 2 (26 cases) was operated with CO2 laser microlaryngeal operation. At 3-month postoperative, evaluation was done by stroboscopic evaluation of vocal folds, grade of hoarseness, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, and strain (GRBAS) scale and Arabic version of Voice Handicap Index (VHI). Results The stroboscope assessment revealed that glottic closure was complete, symmetrical motion, the reappearance of the mucosal wave, normal amplitude, and periodicity in all patients. There is insignificantly different between either group as regards the postoperative scores on VHI and GRBAS scale. Conclusion There is insignificantly different when comparing laser to conventional microlaryngeal surgery for excision of vocal fold cysts regarding the quality of voice.

Abstract Background Post-viral anosmia is responsible for more than 40% of cases of anosmia. Anosmia has been a neglected symptom in the primary healthcare setting until the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection highlighted new atypical symptoms of the disease, including anosmia, which has become one of the diagnostic symptoms of the disease, and epidemiological concern. We aimed to detect the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection within patients presented with anosmia and to test for other respiratory viruses in the negative COVID-19 patients. We also detected the recovery of anosmia and IgM/IgG against COVID-19. We prospectively included 60 outpatients with the major complaint of anosmia. Nasopharyngeal swabs were done for SARS-CoV-2 real-time PCR, and if negative, PCR to other respiratory pathogens was tested. After one month, we inquired about the recovery of smell loss together with testing for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Results Sixty patients were enrolled in the study. Forty-six patients (76.7%) were SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive and 14 (23.3%) were negative. Rhinovirus was the commonest isolated pathogen in the negative cases (5/14). Complete recovery of anosmia occurred in 34 patients (56.7%), while partial recovery in 24 (40.0%), and no recovery in 2 patients (3.3%). The median time to complete recovery was 10 days. 28.3% (13/46) of the patients showed negative antibody response for both IgG and IgM. Conclusions Sudden-onset anosmia is a symptom that is highly predictive of being COVID-19-infected. While recovery is expected within 2 weeks, some patients have no antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.

Abstract Background The most common manifestations of infection with COVID-19 are fever, sore throat, dry cough, headache, and body aches. The available evidence for successful and safe pharmacological therapy against COVID-19 has not yet been identified, and the possible evidence relates to many adverse reactions. Taste disorders, petechiae, desquamative gingivitis, unspecific oral ulcerations, xerostomia, and candidiasis are the oral manifestations related to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Main body of the abstract We reviewed the literature regarding the reported oral mucosal lesions in cases with confirmed COVID-19 infection together with presenting five cases with oral mucosal lesions associated with COVID-19 infection. Direct causal association between COVID-19 infection and oral mucosal lesions is still vague, hence further research is required. Conclusion Oral examination is mandatory in cases with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection.