International forum of allergy & rhinology
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Int Forum Allergy Rhinol · Jul 2020
ReviewA primer on viral-associated olfactory loss in the era of COVID-19.
Early reports have suggested that smell loss may be an early symptom associated with the pandemic known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The possibility that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) might cause olfactory dysfunction is certainly plausible. Patients presenting to specialized smell clinics are commonly diagnosed with upper respiratory infection (URI)-associated olfactory loss and most are presumed to be viral related. ⋯ This review provides a brief, practical overview of viral-associated olfactory loss, realizing that evidence related to COVID-19 will likely not be clear for some time. Our goal is to highlight the existence and importance of this condition and provide information geared for both providers and patients. Practical suggestions regarding evaluation and treatment will be provided, realizing that there may be constraints on medical resources and the nature of this pandemic remains dynamic.
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Int Forum Allergy Rhinol · Jan 2020
Virtual coach: the next tool in functional endoscopic sinus surgery education.
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) can be challenging as novices become accustomed to handling endoscopes and instruments while navigating complex sinonasal anatomy. Experts demonstrate fluid and efficient motions when addressing pathology. The training process from novice to expert relies on hands-on experience in cadaveric laboratories and preceptorship models that require significant time and expense. This study aims to validate the use of a virtual coach to guide users step-by-step through a basic FESS. ⋯ The virtual coach provides a useful tool to enhance FESS education by providing objective real-time data in a novel mixed-reality surgical environment.