Search

Objectives/hypothesis: Upper respiratory tract infections are a common cause of temporary and permanent olfactory dysfunction in the general population. Postviral or postinfectious olfactory loss (PIOL) develops only in rare cases. The aim of this study was to investigate the anatomical features of olfactory cleft (OC) in patients with PIOL to shed light on possible predisposing factors for PIOL.Study Design: Retrospective study.Methods: We retrospectively evaluated paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) scan results of patients diagnosed with PIOL. A control group consisted of normosmic individuals who underwent paranasal sinus CT scans before septoplasty surgery. We compared the olfactory fossa depth, OC width, and volume on the CT scans of the PIOL and control groups.Results: In total, 71 individuals fulfilled the study criteria (PIOL group, n = 32; control group, n = 39). There was no statistically significant difference in the olfactory fossa depth in the two groups. The OC width and volume in the PIOL group was found to be significantly increased than that in the control group (P < .001 for both).Conclusions: Patients with PIOL had increased OC width and volume than the healthy controls. An extra-wide olfactory cleft may be a predisposing factor in the pathogenesis of PIOL.Level Of Evidence: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:5-9, 2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Olfactory training consisting of daily suprathreshold odor exposure over 12 weeks seems to improve olfactory function. It is unknown if a longer period of training might be more effective. A prospective non-randomized clinical study was performed including 39 patients with olfactory loss after an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) of less than 24 months duration. Patients exposed themselves with suprathreshold concentrations of four odors (rose, eucalyptus, lemon, cloves) applied in ''Sniffin' Sticks'' felt-tip pens over 32 weeks. Olfactory function was performed before (T1), after 16 weeks (T2), and 32 weeks of training (T3) using the 'the Sniffin' Sticks test kit calculating the TDI score (Threshold, Discrimination, Identification). The mean TDI score showed a non-significant trend of improvement at T2, and was significantly increased at T3 ( p = 0.021). Overall, 31 patients (79 %) showed an increased TDI score at T3. The increase of TDI from T1 to T3 was 4.6 ± 5.1. Age, gender, duration and initial severity of olfactory loss had no influence on the improvement (all p > 0.05). Only patients with a D score lower than the median value of 8 showed a significantly higher increase of the D score at T3 ( p = 0.004). The present study confirmed that olfactory training improves olfactory function in patients with olfactory loss after URTI. A longer duration of training over 32 weeks seems to increase the effectiveness in comparison to a 12-week period. This was tested in a completed German multicenter trial to be published soon containing a control group to include the effect of a spontaneous recovery after URTI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite garnering minimal attention from the medical community overall, olfaction is indisputably critical in the manner in which we as humans interact with our surrounding environment. As the initial anatomical structure in the olfactory pathway, the nasal airway plays a crucial role in the transmission and perception of olfactory stimuli. The goal of this chapter is to provide a comprehensive overview of olfactory disturbances as it pertains to the sinonasal airway. This comprises an in-depth discussion of clinically relevant nasal olfactory anatomy and physiology, classification systems of olfactory disturbance, as well as the various etiologies and pathophysiologic mechanisms giving rise to this important disease entity. A systematic clinical approach to the diagnosis and clinical workup of olfactory disturbances is also provided in addition to an extensive review of the medical and surgical therapeutic modalities currently available., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)