Journal article
Differences between orthonasal and retronasal olfactory functions in patients with loss of the sense of smell.
- Landis BN Rhinology-Olfaction Unit, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Frasnelli J
- Reden J
- Lacroix JS
- Hummel T
- 2005-11-23
Published in:
- Archives of otolaryngology--head & neck surgery. - 2005
Adult
Aged
Electrophysiology
Female
Germany
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Nose
Olfaction Disorders
Psychophysiology
Switzerland
English
OBJECTIVE
To investigate differences between orthonasal and retronasal olfaction in patients with loss of the sense of smell without taste complaints.
DESIGN
Electrophysiological and psychophysical testing of orthonasal and retronasal olfactory functions.
SETTING
Outpatient clinics.
PATIENTS
A series of 18 patients who had olfactory loss due to various reasons but no "taste" complaints.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Orthonasal and retronasal olfactory functions assessed by olfactory event-related potentials and psychophysical smell tests.
RESULTS
Psychophysical testing revealed retronasal olfaction to be normal or slightly altered, whereas orthonasal olfaction was either absent or severely compromised. Findings from nasal endoscopic examinations and computed tomographic scans were within the reference range in all subjects. In response to orthonasal stimulation there were neither detectable olfactory event-related potentials nor any with small amplitudes, whereas olfactory event-related potentials in response to retronasal stimulation were clearly present in some patients.
CONCLUSION
These clinical observations, together with the psychophysical and electrophysiological findings, suggest that orthonasal and retronasal olfaction might be processed differently.
To investigate differences between orthonasal and retronasal olfaction in patients with loss of the sense of smell without taste complaints.
DESIGN
Electrophysiological and psychophysical testing of orthonasal and retronasal olfactory functions.
SETTING
Outpatient clinics.
PATIENTS
A series of 18 patients who had olfactory loss due to various reasons but no "taste" complaints.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Orthonasal and retronasal olfactory functions assessed by olfactory event-related potentials and psychophysical smell tests.
RESULTS
Psychophysical testing revealed retronasal olfaction to be normal or slightly altered, whereas orthonasal olfaction was either absent or severely compromised. Findings from nasal endoscopic examinations and computed tomographic scans were within the reference range in all subjects. In response to orthonasal stimulation there were neither detectable olfactory event-related potentials nor any with small amplitudes, whereas olfactory event-related potentials in response to retronasal stimulation were clearly present in some patients.
CONCLUSION
These clinical observations, together with the psychophysical and electrophysiological findings, suggest that orthonasal and retronasal olfaction might be processed differently.
- Language
-
- English
- Open access status
- bronze
- Identifiers
-
- DOI 10.1001/archotol.131.11.977
- PMID 16301369
- Persistent URL
- https://folia.unifr.ch/global/documents/205594
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