COVID-19 is associated with a common symptom of olfactory dysfunction, which may persist even after the infection is resolved. Olfactory training (OT) has emerged as the most effective intervention for post-viral olfactory dysfunction. OT involves daily exposure of the olfactory system to various odors. The current study aims to explore olfactory dysfunction following COVID-19 and the potential benefits of olfactory training. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among adults aged 18–60 living in Alahssa, Saudi Arabia. An online questionnaire containing an informed consent form and a survey to collect demographic data, vaccination status, level of loss of smell and taste, and the level of awareness about olfactory training (OT) was distributed among all participants who agreed to participate in this study. Results: The study included 524 participants and presented their baseline characteristics, including age, gender, COVID-19 infection status, and complaints. Most patients were female (66.0%), and 46.2% had previously been infected with COVID-19. About 54.8% of participants reported chemosensory dysfunction, while 286 had olfactory dysfunction. Of those, 29.8% had anosmia, 16.8% had hyposmia, and 8.0% had parosmia. Results suggest that being fully or partially vaccinated may offer some protection against olfactory dysfunction compared to being unvaccinated. Adherence to olfactory training was associated with improvement in the sense of smell. Conclusions: The study highlights the importance of awareness and adherence to olfactory training, which may improve the sense of smell in individuals with chemosensory dysfunction. The findings of this study can inform public health policies and interventions aimed at reducing the burden of olfactory dysfunction associated with COVID-19 vaccination.

Background: As technology keeps on developing, earbuds have been more popular recently among different age groups. As they are inserted into the external ear canal, they obstruct and isolate its communication with the outer environment. Thus, changing temperature and humidity inside the external ear canal. (EEC), and the extent of those environmental changes is influenced by the duration of using the earbuds, as well as, the attitude of maintaining hygiene of the earpieces. Material and methods A cross sectional study was conducted among the teenager and adult population of AlAhssa, Dammam, AlQatif, and Jubail Industrial cities, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. An online validated voluntary self-administered questionnaire was disseminated. The questionnaire consisted of 19 elements including consent. The net data of 504 participants was analyzed with SPSS version 21. Results: Regular use of earbuds was found among 32.5% of the respondents. The mean knowledge score was 2.49 (SD 0.95) out of 4 points. Good, moderate and poor awareness were found among 49.2%, 35.3% and 15.5% respectively. The most commonly known symptoms of prolonged use of earbuds were itching (28%), otalgia (23%) and excessive ear wax (21.8%). It was found that females (T = −2.569; P = 0.010) and earbuds users for 1–2 h per day (F = 2.901; P = 0.040) have significantly better awareness while students (F = 2.824; P = 0.044) and those using high volume level have significantly poorer level of awareness. Conclusion: There was an adequate awareness toward the side effects of excessive usage of earbuds among teenagers and young adults. Females showed better awareness compared to males and short-term usage of earbuds was a significant predictor of good awareness.

Background: Consanguineous marriage is a common practice in the Middle East and in Saudi Arabia especially. Not many studies were done on the relationship between consanguinity and congenital hearing loss (HL) in Saudi Arabia and none in the Eastern Region specifically. Therefore, this study focuses on the determination of the association between consanguinity and congenital HL (CHL). Materials and Methods: This is a comparative cross-sectional study that included any eastern region resident with severe-to-profound CHL. The data were collected and recorded on a structured questionnaire that was distributed among six schools in hard copy. In addition, data were also collected directly from two rehabilitation centers and from the Saudi Association for Hearing Impairment in Dammam. Results: Among 275 participants, the degree of HL was observed to be severe in 92 (33.5%) and profound in 183 (66.5%) participants. Consanguinity was reported to be as high as 75.6%. Most consanguineous marriages were of the first degree, which was found to have an association with higher numbers of severe and profound HL. It was observed that a total of 142 (51.7%) of the participants had at least one or more family members with HL, and 130 (47.3%) had at least one or more relatives with HL. Furthermore, it was found that those who reported blood-related parents had higher percentages of family members/relatives with the same condition. Conclusion: The outcome of this study is suggestive that there is an association between consanguineous marriage and having children with CHL. Looking at these findings and how consanguineous marriage is still commonly practiced, it is crucial to spread awareness regarding the dangers and possible associated disorders affecting children when marrying relatives.

Background: The landscape of otolaryngology training in Saudi Arabia is undergoing transformation due to the expansion of medical colleges and increased overseas medical scholarships. However, concerns persist regarding the satisfaction and adequacy of surgical education. This study aims to assess gaps in otolaryngology training through an in-depth needs assessment. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 85 otolaryngology–head and neck surgery residency graduates in Saudi Arabia between 2019 and 2021. Participants completed a validated questionnaire assessing deficiencies, importance, and competence in different subspecialty areas. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, median comparisons, and Kruskal–Wallis tests. Results: Participants identified deficiencies in training across domains, with significant variations in specific subspecialties among different regions. Dissatisfaction with clinical discussions, research training, access to simulation labs, and training in emerging subspecialties was evident. Conclusion: The study highlights challenges within otolaryngology training, emphasizing the need for continuous evaluation and adaptation to ensure high-quality and comprehensive training. Addressing these gaps is essential to produce well-rounded otolaryngologists capable of meeting the evolving demands of modern healthcare.

Introduction: Thyroglossal cysts represent 70% of congenital neck anomalies, and second branchial cleft anomalies are the most common anomalies (90%) of the branchial apparatus. However, their coexistence, especially in adults, is very rare. Presentation of case: A 23-year-old woman presented with a 1-year history of lateral left neck swelling and midline swelling. Imaging and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a thyroglossal duct cyst and a second branchial cleft cyst. The Sistrunk procedure was performed for surgical excision of the masses. Discussion: Only three cases of a coexisting thyroglossal duct cyst and branchial cleft have been reported. Conclusion: When encountering patients, even adults, with neck lesions, clinicians must keep in mind the possibility of a coexistence of a thyroglossal duct and a branchial cleft cyst. Highlights:

The efficacy of inhaled steroids in the treatment of airway laryngeal granuloma is an important topic of research, given the increasing prevalence of this condition. In this systematic review, we aimed to evaluate the existing evidence on the effectiveness of inhaled steroids in treating airway granuloma. The search was performed in several electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. We included all relevant studies that were published in the English language between 2005 and 2021. A total of nine studies were eligible for inclusion in our systematic review, including one randomized controlled trial, one case-control study, and seven retrospective studies. The results of our review suggest that inhaled steroids may be effective in treating airway granuloma, but more research is needed to confirm these findings. The limitations of the included studies, such as small sample sizes, inconsistent study designs, and a lack of long-term follow-up, suggest that additional research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of inhaled steroids in treating airway granuloma. Overall, this systematic review highlights the need for further studies to confirm the effectiveness of inhaled steroids in treating airway granuloma.