title: Olfactory dysfunction in nasal polyposis: correlation with computed tomography findings.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluates if a computed tomography (CT) scan is useful to assess the olfactory loss in sinonasal disease, and if a preoperative CT scan has a predictive value for the long-term outcome regarding olfaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-one patients with nasal polyposis were included. Olfactory function was assessed with the 'Sniffin' Sticks' test and subjective perception recorded with a visual analogue scale. CT scans were assessed with the Lund-Mackay system and the Damm nasal segmentation. Patients were retested after endoscopic sinus surgery in a follow-up appointment at least 1 year later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Disease in the upper meatus and the posterior portion of the middle meatus strongly affects olfactory function. Lund-Mackay scores were significantly correlated with preoperative olfactory test results. Preoperative subjective ratings had a significant correlation only with present disease in the anterior upper meatus. Postoperative results were significantly decreased. Their relative percentage change was correlated only with the preoperative presence of disease in the anterior upper meatus. No correlation was found between the Lund-Mackay score and the postoperative olfactory results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Olfactory dysfunction in nasal polyposis is strongly related to specific obstructed nasal areas. A CT scan has no predictive value for the long-term surgical outcome regarding olfaction.
authors.affiliation: 1st Otorhinolaryngology Department, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece. jordan_orl@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Iordanis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Konstantinidis
authors.forename: Stefanos
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Triaridis
authors.forename: Athanasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Printza
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vital
authors.forename: Eleftherios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ferekidis
authors.forename: Jannis
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Constantinidis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D009812:Odorants; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed