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Olfactory dysfunction is commonly seen in COVID-19 patients; however, little is known about the pathophysiology and management. The present study aimed to report a series of cases in which three protocols of intranasal photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) were used for COVID-19-related olfactory dysfunction. Irrespective of the PBMT protocol, olfaction recovery was noted in all cases but with varying degrees of improvement. Although intranasal PBMT seems to be a promising therapeutic modality, more research is demanded to identify the most suitable protocol.

Many oral signs and symptoms related to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have been reported; however, both prevalence and etiology are still undetermined. Since the clinical features of the oral lesions seen in COVID-19 are highly heterogeneous and the treatments differ considerably in the literature, the present study aimed to report a clinical case in which a combination of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) and photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) was used for extensive lip lesions in a patient suffering from COVID-19. Within 4 days and without any systemic drug administration, after two sessions of aPDT and one session of PBMT, the lip lesions were completely healed, and the patient recovered her orofacial functions satisfactorily. According to the current case report and taking into consideration the evident lack of information about many aspects of COVID-19 infection, this combination of phototherapy modalities seems to be a promising tool for managing COVID-19-related lip lesions; however, more studies are necessary.

In hematopoietic cell transplants (HCT) patients, opportunistic fungal infections – especially candidiasis - are typical and, due to the immunosuppressed condition, severe and fatal clinical conditions may occur. Many antifungal agents are used for treating candidiasis; however, there are non-responsive, drug-resistant cases in which alternative antimicrobial therapies are strongly needed. The present study aimed to report a clinical case in which antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) was used for extensive oral pseudomembranous candidiasis not responsive to micafungin in a patient undergoing HCT. Thus, 0.01 % methylene blue solution was applied for 3 min onto the infected area, followed by 660-nm laser irradiation. Within 72 h, there was neither a symptom nor a sign of the fungal infection. According to the current case report, aPDT seems to be highly effective for HCT patients presenting oral candidiasis not responsive to micafungin; however, further studies are necessary.

Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is considered one of the most severe complications of radiotherapy (RT). Treatment modalities for ORN may vary considerably, including conservative or surgical procedures. Recently, alternative managements such as the combination of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) have also yielded promising results in patients presenting ORN or delayed healing post-RT. Herein, it is reported a case of ORN manifested as an oral fistula on the mandibular alveolar mucosa in which a combination of PBMT and aPDT was used every 15 days for six weeks. A laser device with an optical fiber was introduced into the fistula for light delivery. Seven days after the first laser session, it was noted complete resolution of both edema and erythema; after six weeks, the ORN fistula was no longer present. According to the current case, the combination of PBMT and aPDT with an optical fiber to deliver the laser light seems to be a suitable alternative for restricted areas such as fistula paths.

Among the most common symptoms of COVID-19 is taste dysfunction, which has a ranging clinical presentation. As well as its pathophysiology remains to be unclear, there is not enough information about the efficacy and safety of the available treatments. This study aims to report a series of cases using PBMT for the management of COVID-19-related taste impairment.8 female and 2 male patients sought medical help for taste impairment (either partially or completely) after COVID-19 infection. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on the tongue mucosa was then proposed but with 3 different protocols. Taste perception at baseline and before every laser session was evaluated using a visual analog scale. Irrespective of the PBMT protocol, taste recovery was noted in all cases but with varying degrees of improvement.given the high prevalence rates of taste dysfunction in COVID-19 patients and the lack of information about the available treatments, PBMT seems to be a promising therapeutic modality but not dependent on the total number of laser sessions and the interval between them. The choice of the most suitable laser protocol as well as the knowledge of the exact photonic mechanisms, however, need to be better studied.

Although the treatment and management options for perianal abscess vary considerably, most cases require incision and drainage. Whatever the clinical approach selected, it is imperative to monitor patients to identify postoperative signs and symptoms which suggest treatment failure or further complications, such as sepsis, recurrent abscess, and fistula formation. Considering the debate on the role of postoperative antibiotic therapy for patients with perianal abscess and the significant discomfort caused by the infection, the present study aimed to report a clinical case in which antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) and photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) were used after incision and drainage of a simple perianal abscess. Within 5 days, there was no sign or symptom of both infection and inflammation, and after 3 months, no fistulous pathways or perianal collections were present. According to the current case report, the combination of aPDT and PBMT following incision and drainage of perianal abscess may be a smart strategy for infection resolution and prevention of late complications.

Oral lesions related to the novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been increasingly described; however, clinical and epidemiological information is still scant. Although a diversity of therapeutic strategies for the management of these lesions are present in the literature, one can note a lack of standardization and doubtful effectiveness. Thus, the present study aimed to report a series of cases in which a combination of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) and photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) was used for orofacial lesions in patients suffering from COVID-19. It was noted, in all cases, a marked improvement in tissue repair and pain relief within a few days; moreover, the patients recovered their orofacial functions satisfactorily. Based on the present series of cases and having in mind the conspicuous lack of information on the different aspects of COVID-19, the protocol which combined aPDT with PMBT seemed to be effective in the management of COVID-19-related orofacial lesions.

The relationship between cytomegalovirus (CMV), a severe complication in immunocompromised patients, and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) has already been reported but remains without complete elucidation, especially concerning oral lesions. Considering that antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) has an antimicrobial effect and photobiomodulation therapy (PBM) provides analgesia and modulation of inflammatory processes, the present study aimed to report a clinical case in which oral CMV reactivation following acute GVHD was treated by a combination of aPDT and PBMT concomitantly with conventional drug treatment. Intense and uninterrupted oral pain and consequent impairment of the patient's oral functions were present due to ulcerated lesions in the tongue, soft palate, and labial mucosa. After 72 hours from the first laser session, a marked decrease in the severity of the lesions and pain relief was observed. All oral lesions were repaired within 30 days. Based on this case report, when used concomitantly with conventional drug treatment, the combination of aPDT and PBMT seems to play a crucial role in treating CMV associated with GVHD.