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., (© 2020 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.)

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate changes in olfactory function after smoking cessation., Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 28 volunteers who were admitted to the smoking cessation section of our hospital. Olfactory tests were performed immediately before smoking cessation and 45 days after smoking cessation. The duration of smoking and the number of cigarettes smoked per day were noted., Results: The mean duration of smoking was 25.5 ± 12 years, and the participants smoked 21.6 ± 6.6 cigarettes per day. There was a significant improvement in odor discrimination, odor identification, and TDI scores (i.e., the total score of odor threshold, odor discrimination, and odor identification tests) 45 days after smoking cessation (P = .003, P = .002, and P < .001, respectively). Furthermore, a statistically significant negative correlation was found between the duration of cigarette smoking and the Sniffin' Sticks olfactory tests performed after smoking cessation, namely odor discrimination, odor identification, and TDI (P = .008, P = .002, P = .001, respectively)., Conclusion: A significant improvement was observed in odor discrimination, odor identification, and TDI scores after smoking cessation. However, this improvement was inversely associated with the duration of smoking, indicating that a longer duration of smoking may result in an insufficient improvement after smoking cessation., Level of Evidence: 4 Laryngoscope, 130:E35-E38, 2020., (© 2019 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.)

Objectives/hypothesis: Patients with olfactory dysfunction benefit from repeated exposure to odors, so-called olfactory training (OT). This does not mean occasional smelling but the structured sniffing of a defined set of odors, twice daily, for a period of 4 months or longer. In this prospective study, we investigated whether the effect of OT might increase through the use of more odors and extension of the training period., Study Design and Methods: This study shows OT results when performed with four or 12 odors for 36 weeks in patients with postinfectious olfactory dysfunction. A total of 85 subjects participated (mean age 45.6 ± 10.5 years, range 24-68 years). Three groups were formed: 1) In the modified olfactory training (MOT) group, patients used three sets of four different odors sequentially. 2) Participants in the classical odor training (COT) group used four odors. 3) Participants in the control group did not perform OT. All groups were matched for age and sex distribution of participants., Results: Both participants in the COT and MOT groups reached better scores than controls in terms of odor discrimination and odor identification. Continuing OT with four different odors after the 12th and 24th weeks produced better results in terms of odor discrimination and odor identification scores as compared to using the same four odors throughout the entire study., Conclusion: This study confirmed the effectiveness of OT. Increasing the duration of OT and changing the odors enhances the success rate of this therapy., Level of Evidence: 2b. Laryngoscope, 125:1763-1766, 2015., (© 2015 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.)

Objectives/hypothesis: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and balance disorders are common chronic diseases seen in the general population. The aim of this study was to evaluate vestibular functions in individuals with OSA., Study Design: Cross-sectional clinical study., Methods: Patients who were referred to the sleep clinic in our hospital were classified into two groups according to a polysomnographic test: a moderate-to-severe OSA group and a mild OSA group. A vestibular system assessment of all patients was performed subjectively with the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) survey and objectively with videonystagmography., Results: The current investigation produced four major findings: 1) Apnea-hypopnea index was significantly correlated with age and body mass index, whereas it was not correlated with Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores. 2) There was a significant difference in study groups in terms DHI scores, particularly in the physical subgroup. Moderate-to-severe OSA patients had higher scores in the physical subgroup of DHI. 3) Nystagmus and canal paresis rates were significantly higher in the moderate-to-severe OSA group when compared to the mild OSA group. 4) Results of the Romberg test, tandem Romberg test, cerebellar examinations, and positional tests were normal in both., Conclusions: Abnormal vestibular responses are common in individuals suffering from severe OSA, and dizziness has negative effects on the quality of life in these individuals., Level of Evidence: 4, (© 2014 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.)