Diagnostic approach to patients at risk of otogenic skull base osteomyelitis.

Background: Otogenic skull base osteomyelitis (OSBO) is rare and potentially fatal sequelae of otitis externa. Accurate and timely diagnosis is important due to rising incidence, morbidity and costs associated with treatment. Consensus on the diagnostic approach for OSBO has yet to be reached, in particular the utility of imaging modalities.

Smell and taste loss in COVID-19 patients: assessment outcomes in a Victorian population.

It has been noted that olfactory and gustatory disturbances may precede or accompany the typical features of COVID-19, such as fever and cough. Hence, a high index of suspicion is required when patients report sudden loss of smell or taste, in order to facilitate timely diagnosis and isolation. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of olfactory and gustatory disturbances in COVID-19 positive patients from a cohort representative of Melbourne, Australia.