The use of stem cells in treating xerostomia: a systematic review.

Introduction: The complex nature of xerostomia prevents the establishment of a definite cure. Recently, research has pivoted towards stem cell transplantation for glandular reconstruction. The aim of this study is to provide an updated review of the existing research, to highlight the encountered challenges and research pathways, potentially enhancing the therapeutic applications of stem cell transplantation.

Identification of the needs of individuals affected by COVID-19.

Background: The optimal management of COVID-19 symptoms and their sequelae remains an important area of clinical research. Policy makers have little scientific data regarding the effects on the daily life of affected individuals and the identification of their needs. Such data are needed to inform effective care policy.

Recurrent Sialolithiasis following Intraoral Deep Hilar/Intraparenchymal Stone Removal from Wharton's Duct.

(1) Background: Submandibular gland (SMG) sialolithiasis treatment has shifted significantly, favouring minimal invasiveness. Nonetheless, transoral stone removal remains viable for distal, deep hilar, and intraparenchymal stones. However, data are limited regarding recurrence and revision surgery; (2) Patients/Methods: This retrospective study included 226 patients with SMG stones treated using Wharton's duct slitting and marsupialisation over nine years; 138 had deep hilar or intraparenchymal stones, while 88 had distal stones.

Assessment of Intranasal Function of the Trigeminal Nerve in Daily Clinical Practice.

Background: The trigeminal nerve is a mixed cranial nerve responsible for the motor innervation of the masticatory muscles and the sensory innervation of the face, including the nasal cavities. Through its nasal innervation, we perceive sensations, such as cooling, tingling, and burning, while the trigeminal system mediates the perception of airflow. However, the intranasal trigeminal system has received little attention in the clinical evaluation of patients with nasal pathology.

International clinical assessment of smell: An international, cross-sectional survey of current practice in the assessment of olfaction.

Objectives: Olfactory dysfunction (OD) is common and carries significant personal and societal burden. Accurate assessment is necessary for good clinical and research practice but is highly dependent on the assessment technique used. Current practice with regards to UK/international clinical assessment is unknown.

Olfactory training with four and eight odors: comparison with clinical testing and olfactory bulb volumetrics.

Purpose: Post-infectious olfactory dysfunction (PIOD) is one of the most common causes of olfactory impairment but has limited treatment options. Recently, olfactory training (OT) has been considered an effective treatment method; however, several questions have arisen regarding its optimal scheme. The aim of this study was to assess whether an OT scheme with 8 odors is more effective than the classic OT scheme with 4 odors by comparing psychophysical test results and olfactory bulb (OB) volumetrics.

Olfactory Nomenclature: An Orchestrated Effort to Clarify Terms and Definitions of Dysosmia, Anosmia, Hyposmia, Normosmia, Hyperosmia, Olfactory Intolerance, Parosmia, and Phantosmia/Olfactory Hallucination.

Background: Definitions are essential for effective communication and discourse, particularly in science. They allow the shared understanding of a thought or idea, generalization of knowledge, and comparison across scientific investigation. The current terms describing olfactory dysfunction are vague and overlapping.

Surgical Approaches for Possible Positions of an Olfactory Implant to Stimulate the Olfactory Bulb.

Introduction: Current scientific developments seem to allow for an "olfactory implant" in analogy to cochlear implants. However, the position and surgical approaches for electrical stimulation of the olfactory system are unclear.

Methods: In a human anatomic cadaver study, we investigated different endoscopic approaches to electrically stimulate the olfactory bulb (OB) based on the following considerations: (1) the stimulating electrode should be close to the OB.

The effectiveness and safety of sialendoscopy for sialolithiasis in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Sialendoscopy is a new, minimally invasive method that is becoming increasingly more popular than traditional methods for the treatment of sialolithiasis. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the effectiveness and safety of this method in children with sialolithiasis are investigated.

Methods: Inclusion criteria were children with sialolithiasis.

Sphenoidotomy kinetics in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps.

Objective: Stenosed sphenoid sinus ostia are among the most common findings in revision endoscopic sinus surgery. This study sought to identify the optimal intraoperative sphenoidotomy size for prevention of postoperative stenosis.

Methods: 32 patients affected by chronic rhinosinusitis not associated with nasal polyps (CRSsNP) underwent 52 sphenoidotomies.

Primary Inverted Papilloma of the Middle Ear.

Primary middle ear inverted papilloma is an exceedingly rare finding posing a diagnostic challenge, as symptomatology often mimics common clinical entities like serous otitis media. Clinical and radiological findings are not specific, whilst high recurrence rates, local destruction, and potential malignant transformation constitute an overall demanding surgical challenge, requiring aggressive procedures. We report the case of a primary inverted papilloma of the middle ear, discussing diagnostic and therapeutic issues.

Multiple Tracheal Diverticula in a COVID-19 Positive Patient.

A tracheal diverticulum is a type of paratracheal air cyst and is usually an incidental finding after a computed tomography scan of the neck and thorax. With an incidence between 1% and 4% in adults, tracheal diverticula are rare entities that can be symptomatic in certain cases. We present a case of a COVID-19 positive patient who presented to our hospital and was diagnosed with multiple tracheal diverticula during his hospitalization.

Novel Multidisciplinary Salivary Gland Society (MSGS) Questionnaire: An International Consensus.

Objectives: First, establishment and validation of a novel questionnaire documenting the burden of xerostomia and sialadenitis symptoms, including quality of life. Second, to compare two versions regarding the answering scale (proposed developed answers Q3 vs. 0-10 visual analogue scale Q10) of our newly developed questionnaire, in order to evaluate their comprehension by patients and their reproducibility in time.

Postinfectious Olfactory Dysfunction: Oral Steroids and Olfactory Training versus Olfactory Training Alone: Is There any Benefit from Steroids?

Introduction: There are limited treatment options for postinfectious olfactory dysfunction (PIOD). Olfactory training has recently been used in clinical practice, but no medical treatment is widely accepted. Although there is weak evidence for their value, some physicians use oral corticosteroids as first-line treatment.

Nasal Septum Hemangioma in a 9-Year-Old Boy.

Hemangiomas of the head and neck account for about 7% of all benign tumors in children. Τhey are rare in the nasal cavity and especially in the nasal septum. Only 16 cases of intranasal hemangiomas in childhood have been previously described in the literature and 6 of them arising from the nasal septum.

Systemic corticosteroids in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related smell dysfunction: an international view.

The frequent association between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and olfactory dysfunction is creating an unprecedented demand for a treatment of the olfactory loss. Systemic corticosteroids have been considered as a therapeutic option. However, based on current literature, we call for caution using these treatments in early COVID-19-related olfactory dysfunction because: (1) evidence supporting their usefulness is weak; (2) the rate of spontaneous recovery of COVID-19-related olfactory dysfunction is high; and (3) corticosteroids have well-known potential adverse effects.