1. Olfactory event-related potentials: a new approach for the evaluation of olfaction in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients treated with chemo-radiotherapy.
- Author
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Galletti, B, Santoro, R, Mannella, V K, Caminiti, F, Bonanno, L, De Salvo, S, Cammaroto, G, and Galletti, F
- Subjects
SMELL disorders ,NASOPHARYNX tumors ,QUALITY of life ,SOMATOSENSORY evoked potentials ,STATISTICS ,DATA analysis ,VISUAL analog scale ,ADVERSE health care events ,DIAGNOSIS - Abstract
Objective:Olfactory dysfunction is a possible side effect of chemo-radiotherapy performed in patients affected by nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Self-rating measurements and olfactory event-related potentials were used and compared in order to evaluate the impact of this treatment on the olfactory system.Methods:Nine patients underwent subjective evaluation of olfactory function (using visual analogue scales for olfactory symptoms and quality of life, and a six-item Hyposmia Rating Scale), and a quantitative and objective measurement (olfactory event-related potentials).Results:Spearman's rank correlation analyses highlighted significant relationships between the clinical scales and olfactory event-related potentials. Inter-group analyses showed significant differences in the latency and in the amplitude of olfactory event-related potentials between patients and controls.Conclusion:Taking into account the small sample size and the lack of pre-treatment assessment, olfactory event-related potentials seemed to allow a more objective diagnosis of unilateral and bilateral olfactory loss. Moreover, olfactory event-related potentials and subjective scales results were concordant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2016
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