Olfactory function and nasal nitric oxide.
OBJECTIVE
To highlight two often forgotten nasal functions, olfaction and nasal nitric oxide production, which have both received more attention over the last two decades with consequent findings that are now entering the routine clinical setting.


RESULTS
Olfactory measurements have been optimized and normative data are available, giving clinicians the possibility of testing olfactory function quickly within a patient's workup. The results can lead to more thorough investigations if necessary. Olfactory disorders concern more than just a few people, and these disorders can be a very early sign of Parkinson's disease. Nasal nitric oxide is hypothesized to play a role as an airborne messenger and as an antiinfectious agent in the nose and sinuses and to contribute to the mucociliary clearance. Evidence is growing that the nasal nitric oxide level is a good parameter for diagnosis of ciliary beat impairments and a suitable parameter to monitor treatment success in chronic rhinosinusitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Both nasal nitric oxide and olfactory function are worth testing routinely in any rhinology workup. Valuable clinical information for diagnostic and follow-up purposes can be gained.
Landis
Basile N
BN
Smell and Taste Clinic, Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University of Geneva Medical School, Geneva, Switzerland. Basile.Landis@hcuge.ch
Lacroix
Jean-Silvain
JS
D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance / Q000502:physiology*; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology*
D009569:Nitric Oxide