Neurological and ENT manifestations in COVID-19

Abstract

Along with the respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, rheumatological, and neurological manifestations of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the effects of this virus on the ENT organs is undeniable, as the main portal of entry of any respiratory infection. It has been proven that symptoms such as hypo- and anosmia are associated with one of the ways of the virus penetration – transnasal, through the olfactory nerves into the central nervous system. Otorhinolaryngological complaints of patients are not limited only to deterioration or loss of smell, many note the appearance of dizziness, tinnitus, worsening of the course of chronic sensorineural hearing loss, and in some cases – sudden hearing loss, which may indicate damage to the auditory and vestibular analyzer by a viral agent. The mechanisms of development of the corresponding complications at the moment are still unclear. The presented article is a review of the literature data of foreign and domestic sources, which examines the central and peripheral neurological complications, the pathways and molecular features of the penetration of the virus, as well as clinical cases of hearing impairment and the appearance of tinnitus against the background of new coronavirus infection. At the moment, information on the direct effect of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on the auditory and vestibular analyzer is insufficient and scattered, which requires further observation with subsequent detailed analysis of the results.