BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) improves olfactory dysfunction due to chronic rhinosinusitis. Cross-Cultural Smell Identification test (CC-SIT) is known to be one of the useful methods to assess the olfactory dysfunction. We assessed the influence of ESS on olfactory function by using symptom scores and CC-SIT, and determined the clinical validity of CC-SIT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 151 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis who had received ESS were evaluated. Prior to and three months following the surgery, each patient was requested to mark a 5-point scale ranging from normosmia to anosmia. Preoperative and postoperative CC-SITs were performed for 20 patients who complained of olfactory dysfunction. To evaluate the clinical validity of CC-SIT, we assessed the correlations between CC-SIT scores, symptom scores and CT scores using the Lund-Mackay CT scoring system. RESULTS: There were a significant decrease in the symptom scores and an increase in the CC-SIT scores after ESS. However, normosmia was achieved in only 38.5% (25/65) of the patients determined by symptom scores and 23.5% (4/17) by CC-SITs. There were significant correlations between CC-SIT scores, symptom scores and CT scores (r=-0.416, r=-0.357, r=0.510, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Although the average postoperative olfactory ability after ESS was in the hyposmic range, ESS could improve the olfactory ability in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. The 5-point scale and the CC-SIT scores reflected well the severity of olfactory dysfunction in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis, and therefore, we recommend them as convenient and practical tools to assess olfactory ability before and after ESS.
Humans ; Olfaction Disorders ; Smell*

The common causes of anosmia include sinonasal disorder, post-upper respiratory infection, trauma and chemicals. Intracranial tumor also frequently cause anosmia, so it is not easy to diagnose an intracranial tumor in patients who present with no definite related symptoms other than anosmia. Therefore, otolaryngologists should focus their attention on these disorders when they see patients with anosmia. We have experienced a case of olfactory groove menigioma presenting with only anosmia. We herein report this case with a brief review of the literature.
Humans ; Meningioma ; Olfaction Disorders

Humans ; Olfaction Disorders/etiology* ; Smell

Kallman syndrome is characterised by hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism and anosmia. T1 weighted MR coronal images show the bilateral absence or hypoplasia of olfactory bulbs, tracts, and sulci. We report the MR findings of Kallmann syndrome and revew the literature.
Hypogonadism ; Kallmann Syndrome* ; Olfaction Disorders ; Olfactory Bulb

BACKGROUND: Anosmia can be frustrating for both the patient and physician, with no clear treatment. We prospectively investigated the effects of stellate ganglion block (SGB) in anosmic patients who were unresponsive to conventional steroid therapy. METHODS: Thirteen patients with anosmia were treated with SGB. To evaluate the improvement in olfactory function, we evaluated both changes in subjective symptoms and the butanol threshold test. The number of SGB required for improvement in olfactory function was counted. RESULTS: Seven patients (54%) showed improvement of olfactory function with SGB. The average number of SGB for the first response was 7.4 +/- 5.9 times. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that SGB may be a good treatment modality for patients with anosmia unresponsive to steroid therapy.
Humans ; Olfaction Disorders* ; Prospective Studies ; Stellate Ganglion*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The odor identification tests use natural and synthetic odorants as stimuli. Synthetic odorants span a smaller qualitative range than natural ones, however, they eliminate the need for preparation, preservation and have improved familiarity owing to the improved development techniques. The aim of this study is whether we can use synthetic odorants in odor identification tests by comparing the results of tests using natural odorants and synthetic ones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two natural and 21 synthetic odorants familiar to Koreans were applied to 40 normals and 20 patients with decreased sense of smell without sinonasal diseases. Percent-correctness shown by the controls and patients smelling natural and synthetic odorants were compared with those patients showing over 95% identifiability and in 11 corresponding natural and synthetic odorants. RESULTS: Percent-correctness of odor identification test using synthetic odorants was highly correlated with that using natural ones and there was no problem in discriminating patients from the control. CONCLUSION: Synthetic odorants can be used in odor identification tests for Koreans in a clinical context.
Humans ; Odors* ; Olfaction Disorders ; Recognition (Psychology) ; Smell

Congenital anosmia is usually described as a familial disorder in association with various sexual and other developmental abnormalities. Congenital anosmia occurring as an isolated defect in a single family member is extremely rare. That is said to exist when a patient has no recall of smell sensation dating from early childhood. We report two cases of isolated agenesis of the olfactory bulbs and tracts unrelated to pathological, syndromic diseases. We outline the investigations which should be undertaken in such cases.
Humans ; Olfaction Disorders ; Olfactory Bulb ; Sensation ; Smell

Humans ; Olfaction Disorders ; genetics ; Smell ; genetics

Humans ; Olfaction Disorders ; Smell ; Trigeminal Nerve

Olfactory dysfunction is one of the most common complaints of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Patients who suffer from olfactory dysfunction report a negative effect on their overall quality of life. Chronic rhinosinusitis-related olfactory impairment is the most treatable form of olfactory disorder; however, outcomes after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) are challenging to predict. Previous studies have documented a wide range in overall improvement after ESS. The purpose of this study is to review the factors that predict changes in olfaction after ESS.
Humans ; Olfaction Disorders ; Quality of Life ; Sinusitis ; Smell