Evaluation of olfaction and olfactory cleft parameters in patients with varying degrees of severity of symptoms of chronic polypous rhinosinusitis

Objective: to evaluate the olfactory function and olfactory fissure (OF) parameters in patients with varying severity of chronic polypous rhinosinusitis (CRSwNP) symptoms. Material and methods. A total of 50 patients with CRSwNP (mean age 44,5 [36,2; 55,0] years) were examined: group 1 (n=12) — patients with mild CRSwNP symptoms (total SNOT-22 score 8–20 points), group 2 (n=38) — with moderate and severe CRSwNP symptoms (total score over 21). A questionnaire was administered using Sino-Nasal Outcome Test, Sniffin’ Sticks Screening Test-12, Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders — Negative Statements and computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses was performed. Results. According to Sniffin’ Sticks Screening Test-12, olfactory function was impaired in 91.7 % of patients in group 1 (33.4 % — hyposmia, 58.3 % — anosmia), and in 94.7 % of patients in group 2 (71.1 % — hyposmia, 23.6 % — anosmia). According to Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders — Negative Statements, the total score in group 1 was 19.0 [5.0; 19.0], and in group 2–7.5 [6.0; 13.0]; (p=0.053). The volume of the OF in patients in groups 1 and 2 was 21.0 [20.0; 24.0] and 7.5 [6.0; 13.0] mm³, respectively, but the nature of the differences revealed was statistically insignificant (р=0,053). The density of the OF in group 1 was –100 [–192.5; — 9] HU units, in group 2 — –149.5 [–302.3; 68.3] HU units (p=0.958). Conclusion. Olfactory function was impaired equally often regardless of the severity of CRSwNP symptoms. The volume of the OF in patients with moderate and severe CRSwNP symptoms was 3 times smaller than in CRSwNP with mild symptoms. The density of the OF was comparable with different severity of CRSwNP symptoms.