Salivary gland disease in the era of COVID-19 pandemic

Head Neck. 2020 Jun;42(6):1339-1343. doi: 10.1002/hed.26210. Epub 2020 Apr 28.

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic forced significant changes in current approach to outpatient evaluation of common otolaryngology complaints as hospitals around the world are trying to limit the spread of the virus and to preserve health care resources. These changes raise a lot of questions regarding patient triage and treatment decisions in clinical situations when it is unclear if the workup and management can be postponed. In this communication, we present our approach to evaluation and triage of new patients with complaints concerning for salivary gland disease.

Keywords: COVID-19; salivary gland cancer; salivary gland disease; salivary gland imaging; salivary gland neoplasm.

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus*
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control
  • Coronavirus Infections / transmission
  • Humans
  • Otolaryngology*
  • Pandemics / prevention & control
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / prevention & control
  • Pneumonia, Viral / transmission
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Salivary Gland Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Telemedicine*
  • Triage*