Reversibility of mucociliary clearance and olfaction impairment following endoscopic sinus surgery: a prospective observational study

Objective Chronic rhinosinusitis is associated with altered mucociliary clearance and olfaction. The study aimed to analyse the reversibility of impairment and endoscopic factors predicting changes in mucociliary clearance and olfactory parameters. Methods This prospective study included patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery for medically refractory chronic rhinosinusitis. Pre- and post-operative measurements of mucociliary clearance, olfactory thresholds, and identification scores were recorded. Results Of the 96 patients, 65.6 per cent had polyposis and 80.2 per cent underwent primary surgery. Improvements in mucociliary clearance and olfaction scores were seen in all patients, with greater reversibility of impairment in patients with polyposis and in those who underwent revision surgery. The presence of polyps correlated significantly with changes in mucociliary clearance and olfaction. Conclusion The study highlights improvements in mucociliary clearance, olfactory thresholds and identification scores after functional endoscopic sinus surgery in chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyposis, as well as for primary and revision surgeries. Adequate post-operative care and prevention of polyps recurrence help to improve mucociliary clearance and olfaction scores.

A Pilot Study of the Snap & Sniff Threshold Test

Objectives: The Snap & Sniff® Threshold Test (S&S) has been recently developed to determine the olfactory threshold. The aim of this study was to further evaluate the validity and test–retest reliability of the S&S. Methods: The olfactory thresholds of 120 participants were determined using both the Smell Threshold Test (STT) and the S&S. The participants included 30 normosmic volunteers and 90 patients (60 hyposmic, 30 anosmic). The normosmic participants were retested using the STT and S&S at an intertest interval of at least 1 day. Results: The mean olfactory threshold determined with the S&S was −6.76 for the normosmic participants, −3.79 for the hyposmic patients, and −2 for the anosmic patients. The olfactory thresholds were significantly different across the 3 groups ( P < .001). Snap & Sniff–based and STT-based olfactory thresholds were correlated weakly in the normosmic group (correlation coefficient = 0.162, P = .391) but more strongly correlated in the patient groups (hyposmic: correlation coefficient = 0.376, P = .003; anosmic: correlation coefficient = 1.0). The test–retest correlation for the S&S-based olfactory thresholds was 0.384 ( P = .036). Conclusion: Based on validity and test–retest reliability, we concluded that the S&S is a proper test for olfactory thresholds.

Comparing Different Methods of Volatile Compounds Determination in Wine by GC/MS

Volatile compounds are produced in wines during fermentation, distillation and ageing in oak barrels. Even if the wine volatile profile is extremely complex, containing more than 800 compounds, only 50 have an impact on wine quality (Colibaba 2009). Belonging to different groups of substances (terpens, aldehydes, esters, acids, alcohols etc.), the volatile compounds concentration ranges from a few ng to mg per liter, with different olfactory thresholds (Gerogiannaki-Christopoulou 2008). They are classified in volatiles of the primary aroma (terpens, pyrazines, C6 compounds, and aroma precursors), secondary aroma (ethanol, carbon dioxide, superior alcohols, fatty acids, esters, carbonylic compounds) and of the tertiary aroma of wines (esters, superior alcohols, terpens, nor-isoprenoids, rancid aroma etc.). Wine from different grape varieties (flavoured and some non-flavoured) contain specific aroma compounds, in different ratios (Lambropoulos 2007).

Nasal functional modifications after physical exercise: olfactory threshold and peak nasal inspiratory flow

Statement of problem: The respiratory nasal effects of physical exercise have been extensively investigated; on the other hand there are no data regarding olfactory threshold modification after aerobic physical exercise. Methods: The present prospective study investigated the modifications in nasal respiratory flows and olfactory thresholds after controlled aerobic physical exercise in a cohort of 15 adult, healthy volunteers. The Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow (PNIF), and the Sniffin’ Sticks olfactory threshold test were used for our determinations. Main results: The mean PNIF after physical exercise was significantly higher than the mean PNIF value found before physical exercise. Statistical analysis ruled out any significant difference between mean olfactory thresholds pre vs post physical exercise. Principal conclusions: These outcomes confirmed PNIF sensitivity and reliability also in determining the changes in nasal patency occurring after physical exercise. The active vasoconstriction of nasal mucosa associated with the reduction of blood flow to the olfactory epithelium due to physical exercise may be compensated for by the increase of olfactory molecules that reach the olfactory mucosa because of nasal mucosal shrinkage: this mechanism could explain the stability of mean olfactory threshold after physical exercise.

Comparison of two different odorants in an olfactory detection threshold test of the Sniffin’ Sticks

The olfactory test battery Sniffin’ Sticks is a test of nasal chemosensory function that is based on pen-like devices for odour presentation. It consists of three olfactory subtests: threshold, discrimination, and identification. The detection threshold can be measured using two different odorants--n-butanol or PEA (phenylethyl alcohol). Both tasks are commonly applied in published studies, but little is known about the formal comparison of values obtained using them. Unlike the Sniffin’ Sticks with n-butanol as odorant, there is poor validation for the threshold subtest with the odorant PEA. The purpose of this study was to compare these two different odorants. Both odorants were applied to 100 normosmic, healthy subjects (50 females). The experiment was divided into two sessions performed on two different days. After each threshold test the discrimination and identification subtests were conducted. We obtained significant differences in detection thresholds of PEA and n-butanol. The mean score of PEA threshold and PEA TDI (sum of threshold, discrimination, identification) was significantly higher compared to n-butanol. No significant correlation between individual PEA and n-butanol thresholds was observed. The differences between both odorants indicate that a formal validation of the Sniffin’ Sticks with PEA as odorant for probing olfactory thresholds may be required.