[Olfactory function in patients undergoing FESS for chronic rhinosinusitis]

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Rhinology
• Neurosurgery

Background:

• Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) frequently impairs olfactory function.
• Surgical treatment, including Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS), aims to improve symptoms, but olfactory outcomes remain debated.
• Identifying predictors for improved olfaction post-FESS is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify patient-specific factors predicting olfactory function improvement after FESS for CRS.
• To analyze the impact of comorbidities and surgical details on postoperative olfaction.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 51 CRS patients undergoing FESS between 2012-2015.
• Olfactory function assessed using Odorized Markers Test (OMT) preoperatively and 4 weeks to 4 months postoperatively.
• Comparison of OMT results with patient history, CT scans (Lund-Mackay score), and physical examination findings.

Main Results:

• 25% of patients experienced improved olfaction, 55% had no change, and 20% showed deterioration.
• Preoperative OMT showed significant differences based on nasal polyps and asthma, which diminished postoperatively.
• Younger age, presence of nasal polyps, asthma, and higher Lund-Mackay scores correlated with better postoperative olfactory outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Postoperative olfactory changes in CRS patients after FESS are difficult to predict with certainty.
• Nasal polyps, asthma, younger age, and higher Lund-Mackay scores are significant predictors of improved olfactory function post-FESS.
• Further research is needed to refine predictive models for olfactory outcomes in CRS surgery.