StudyFinds<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CHICAGO \u2014<\/strong> A new 10-minute treatment can potentially restore the sense of smell in patients suffering from long-term olfactory dysfunction prevalent in the aftermath of COVID-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the majority of COVID-19 patients eventually regain their sense of smell, a subset with long COVID experience persistent symptoms for an extended period following the initial infection. This sensory loss, known as parosmia, can detrimentally affect their appetite and overall life quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPost-COVID parosmia<\/a> is common and increasingly recognized. Patients can develop a distaste for foods and drinks they used to enjoy,\u201d says Professor Adam Zoga, the lead author, in a media release<\/a>. \u201cParosmia has previously been reported as a rare disorder occurring after brain trauma<\/a>, brain surgery, stroke, viral syndromes, and with some head and neck tumors. We were not entirely confident that the procedure would work for parosmia.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The innovative treatment entails a precise CT-guided injection of anesthetic<\/a> into the stellate ganglion, located in the neck, to activate the autonomic nervous system<\/a>. This quick, non-sedative procedure has also been employed for other conditions, such as cluster headaches<\/a> and cardiovascular issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Key Takeaways:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To address potential nerve inflammation caused by the COVID<\/a> virus, a small dose of corticosteroid<\/a> was combined with the anesthetic. In the study, 54 patients with persistent post-COVID parosmia, unresponsive to other treatments, were referred by an ear, nose, and throat<\/a> specialist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe initial patient had a tremendously positive outcome, almost immediately, with continued improvement to the point of symptom resolution<\/a> at four weeks,\u201d says Professor Zoga. \u201cWe have been surprised at some outcomes, including near 100% resolution of phantosmia in some patients, throughout the trial.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Out of 37 patients followed up, 22 reported symptom improvement within a week of the injection, with 18 of those experiencing significant ongoing improvement after a month. Notably, the procedure was free from complications or adverse events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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