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Otitis media in coronavirus disease 2019: a case series

N Raad1,2, J Ghorbani1,2, N Mikaniki3

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology, Masih Daneshvari Hospital, Tehran, Iran.

The Journal of Laryngology and Otology
|January 7, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause otitis media, an ear infection. Researchers found evidence of otitis media in patients with COVID-19 and ear, nose, and throat symptoms.

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

Background:

  • Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents with various Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) symptoms, including sore throat, rhinorrhoea, anosmia, and dysgeusia.
  • The potential link between COVID-19 and otitis media remains largely unexplored.

Observation:

  • This study investigated the occurrence of otitis media in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who exhibited otological or other ENT symptoms.
  • Patients with confirmed COVID-19 and ENT manifestations were assessed for otitis media in two tertiary referral hospitals in Iran.
  • Exclusion criteria included pre-existing otological conditions such as acute or chronic otitis media, previous ear surgery, or head and neck trauma/radiotherapy.

Findings:

  • Otitis media was identified in eight COVID-19 patients without prior otological issues.
  • Observed complications included middle-ear effusion (six patients), acute otitis media signs (three patients), and tympanic membrane perforation (one patient).
  • Hearing loss was common, primarily conductive and mild high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss.

Implications:

  • Otitis media should be recognized as a potential manifestation or associated symptom of COVID-19 during the ongoing pandemic.
  • This finding may necessitate broader diagnostic considerations for patients presenting with ENT symptoms and confirmed COVID-19.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms and prevalence of otitis media in COVID-19 patients.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19CoronavirusHearing LossOtalgiaOtitis Media

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