PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Clark, James H AU - Pang, Sharon AU - Naclerio, Robert M AU - Kashima, Matthew TI - Complications of nasal SARS-CoV-2 testing: a review AID - 10.1136/jim-2021-001962 DP - 2021 Dec 01 TA - Journal of Investigative Medicine PG - 1399--1403 VI - 69 IP - 8 4099 - http://jim.bmj.com/content/69/8/1399.short 4100 - http://jim.bmj.com/content/69/8/1399.full SO - J Investig Med2021 Dec 01; 69 AB - Transnasal swab testing for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 is well established. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advocates swabbing either of the anterior nares, middle turbinate, or nasopharynx for specimen collection depending on available local resources. The purpose of this review is to investigate complications related to transnasal SARS-CoV-2 testing with specific attention to specimen collection site and swab approach. The literature demonstrates that while nasopharyngeal swabbing is associated with an increased risk of complications, it should remain the gold-standard test due to greater diagnostic accuracy relative to anterior nasal and middle turbinate swabs.