Otorhinolaryngological manifestations in monkeypox

In the current health emergency declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) for monkeypox, few data on the otorhinolaryngological (ENT) manifestations of the disease have been detailed. The purpose of this study is to describe the clinical features of the ENT manifestations in monkeypox.

Descriptive analysis of 11 consecutive patients with odynodysphagia or oral cavity lesions referred to the ENT emergency department of a tertiary hospital with epidemiological risk factors suggestive of monkeypox infection. Clinical, diagnostic and treatment findings are described.

90.9% of the patients had previous unsafe sexual contact. The predominant presenting features included fever over 38 °C with severe odynodysphagia. Physical examination showed ulcers and exudative lesions of variable presentation in the upper respiratory tract. Smear of the lesions confirmed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positivity for monkeypox in all patients.

Monkeypox virus infection can occur in the ENT area with multiple manifestations that require a high degree of epidemiological suspicion and confirmation with PCR to reach a diagnosis of certainty.