RESIDUAL PHENOMENA OF THE TRANSFERRED COVID-19 IN THE MAXILLOFACIAL REGION OR ITS COMPLICATIONS
Authors: Rybalov O.V. , Skikevych M.G. , Andriyanova O.Yu. , Yatsenko P.I. 
Published: June 2021

Today, the issues of the incidence of the Covid-19 virus and its complications are extremely relevant. Much attention in the scientific literature is paid to possible complications such as sufferings of the lungs, heart. Along with this, it became known that the coronavirus can affect the brain, nasopharynx, eyes, blood vessels, liver, kidneys and intestines. Interesting data from clinicians and morphologists has been received. Those who have had Covid-19 note the long-term effects of scarring of the lung tissue and kidney failure, inflammation of the heart muscle, arrhythmias, liver damage, cognitive impairment, psychosis, accompanied by a sharp change in mood. Interesting observations from the Department of Systems Biology at George Mason University were seen: 70% of patients who have had Covid-19 rarely observe pathology of internal organs.

The purpose of our work was to highlight the complications from the large salivary glands in the patients who suffered from Covid-19.

Objects and research methods. Our observations were carried out at the Poltava Center for Salivary Gland Pathology. There were only 17 patients. Three or four weeks ago, they reliably suffered from the disease. The function of the parotid salivary glands was studied using metal catheters, which were introduced into the mouth of the gland ducts for 10 minutes. The cellular composition of the secretion of the parotid glands was investigated according to the method generally accepted in cytology. 8 patients underwent ultrasound examination of salivary glands.

Results. The antiviral and symptomatic treatment given to the patients eliminated the leading symptoms of the disease. At the time of completion of treatment, general somatic symptoms were eliminated and they were discharged healthy. 3 patients complained of dryness in the mouth, especially at night and in the morning. 4 patients complained of dry mouth, burning sensation in the eye area. In 5 patients, along with dryness in the mouth and nose, there was a complete lack of sense food taste. 5 patients complained of disorders of appearance. The parotid-masticatory areas were enlarged, we could observe dryness of the mucous membranes of the mouth and eyes. All patients had short-term or long-term headaches. Before the viral disease, none of the patients and their relatives had diseases of the salivary glands. Physical examination in 8 patients did not reveal any facial asymmetry. Palpation revealed slightly enlarged parotid salivary glands, slightly compacted, and slightly painful. The submandibular salivary glands were of normal consistency and were painless. These patients had a moderate amount of oral fluid in the mouth. Saliva of normal viscosity was released from the ducts of the parotid and submandibular glands. With sialometry of the parotid glands, there was a slight drop in secretion to 1.5 + 0.3 ml. Cytological examination of the secretion of the parotid glands determined a small number of cells of the columnar epithelium. Some of these cells had a tendency to necrosis; single squamous epithelial cells were found in the preparation.

Conclusions. We evaluated the results of clinical examination data of 17 patients who had a viral Covid-19 infection and they were examined by us. In 3 - 4 weeks after recovery, there were complaints: dryness of the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, conjunctiva of the eyes, loss food taste, enlargement of the parotid and submandibular salivary glands. It is possible to reliably state that patients have clinical phenomena of sialopathy. The results of additional studies of the secretion of the parotid glands, data of the cytology of their secretion and ultrasound examination confirm the secretory process in the glands of various degrees. The presence of elements of an inflammatory nature in the secret clearly defines the sialectatic process. The presence of headaches in the examined patients determines their probable vascular disorders in the components of the brain. Such changes can indirectly affect the vascular complex of the salivary glands and be the cause of the development of duct contractures and leads to sialadenosis.

Perspectives. In order to examine this category of patients, the study of the features of blood circulation in the vessels of the brain and salivary glands should be considered to clarify the pathogenesis of sialadenosis.