Publications

Does phenotypic expression of bitter taste receptor T2R38 show association with COVID-19 severity? Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 has been identified as the pathogen causing the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019(COVID-19) commencing in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Multiple reports have shown subjective loss of taste and smell as an early and hallmark symptom for COVID-19. Method: A retrospective study was performed in our clinical practice during July 2020 on patients positive for SARS-CoV-2 via PCR. All patients were categorized into 3 groups (supertasters, tasters, & nontasters) via taste sensitivity to phenylthiocarbamide, thiourea, and sodium benzoate with taste strip testing. The results of the taste strip tests were correlated with clinical course. Results: 100 patients (mean 51 [Range 24-82] years [...]

Nasal Endoscopy During COVID-19 Mohamed A. Taha, MD1,2, Christian A. Hall, MD1,3, and Henry P. Barham, MD1,3 Nasal endoscopy is considered the standard of care for appropriate and cost-effective diagnosis and management of sinonasal diseases as it allows for direct visualization of inflammatory, infectious, neoplastic and other complex pathologies. Kuhn reviewed the importance of endoscopy, stating that it aids in direct evaluation of mucosa.1 Endoscopy allows for tissue sampling and staging of severity of sinonasal disease. It allows for direct evaluation of structural changes such as scarring, resected turbinates, partially resected uncinate processes, residual ethmoid cells, posterior fontanel antrostomies, not connected to the maxillary sinus ostium, and sphenoid sinus stenosis. Other applications mentioned by Kuhn include culturing [...]

Nasal saline irrigation: therapeutic or homeopathicIn chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), and many chronic airway conditions, the underlying goal is to restore mucosal function with treatments focused on reducing inflammation, removing bacterial infection (or biofilm) and, critically, replacing lost mucociliary function.1 Nasal irrigations have come to play a large role in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis and to a lesser degree in allergic rhinitis (AR). While saline nasal treatments are offered in different forms, such as sprays and nebulizers, it is high-volume nasal irrigation that has found an integral part in current treatment guidelines for CRS.Nasal irrigations may appear novel, but this practice of sinus care has its origins within the Hatha Yoga Pradipika from the 15th century. Jala neti [...]

Introduction A cluster of viral pneumonia cases associated with a novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, in December 2019 and has rapidly spread around the world, causing a global health crisis.1 The disease was subsequently named Coronavirus Disease—2019 (COVID-19) by the World Health Organization (WHO) and has been designated SARS-CoV-2.2 Significant concern has arisen within the global community to the potential risks of infectious transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to the surgical team during endoscopic sinonasal and skull base surgery. As information has rapidly evolved, it has become clear that the presence of elevated viral load in the upper airway mucosa impacts not only skull base cases but also virtually all diagnostic and therapeutic [...]

Background: Techniques for inferior turbinate reduction vary from complete turbinectomy to limited cauterization. Surgical methods differ on the degree of tissue reduction and reliance on surgical tissue removal vs tissue ablation. The outcome and morbidity from 3 different turbinate techniques are compared. Methods: A randomized double-blinded study was performed. Patient nasal cavities were randomized to different interventions on each side within the same patient. One group had a combination of submucosal powered turbinate reduction (designated “submucosal”) and submucosal electrocautery (designated “electrocautery”); and the second group had a combination of submucosal powered turbinate reduction (designated “submucosal”) and medial flap turbinoplasty (designated “turbinoplasty”). Patient-scored nasal obstruction and rhinorrhoea (1 to 5) along with blindly assessed nasal airway patency ratings [...]

Dr. Henry Barham was involved in publishing an article for the American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy. “How I Do It: Medial Flap Inferior Turbinoplasty” is a study of the technique and surgical steps of the preferred method of turbinate reduction. The medial flap inferior turbinoplasty provided consistent, robust results with expected long-term relief of obstructive symptoms without additional risk of complication. View full article below: