title: Olfactory event-related potentials: a new approach for the evaluation of olfaction in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients treated with chemo-radiotherapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Olfactory dysfunction is a possible side effect of chemo-radiotherapy performed in patients affected by nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Self-rating measurements and olfactory event-related potentials were used and compared in order to evaluate the impact of this treatment on the olfactory system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine patients underwent subjective evaluation of olfactory function (using visual analogue scales for olfactory symptoms and quality of life, and a six-item Hyposmia Rating Scale), and a quantitative and objective measurement (olfactory event-related potentials).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Spearman's rank correlation analyses highlighted significant relationships between the clinical scales and olfactory event-related potentials. Inter-group analyses showed significant differences in the latency and in the amplitude of olfactory event-related potentials between patients and controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Taking into account the small sample size and the lack of pre-treatment assessment, olfactory event-related potentials seemed to allow a more objective diagnosis of unilateral and bilateral olfactory loss. Moreover, olfactory event-related potentials and subjective scales results were concordant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology,University of Messina,Messina,Italy.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Galletti
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology,University of Messina,Messina,Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Santoro
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology,University of Messina,Messina,Italy.
authors.forename: V K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Mannella
authors.affiliation: Department of Research,Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico ('IRCCS') Centro Neurolesi 'Bonino Pulejo',Messina,Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Caminiti
authors.affiliation: Department of Research,Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico ('IRCCS') Centro Neurolesi 'Bonino Pulejo',Messina,Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bonanno
authors.affiliation: Department of Research,Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico ('IRCCS') Centro Neurolesi 'Bonino Pulejo',Messina,Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Salvo
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology,University of Messina,Messina,Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cammaroto
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology,University of Messina,Messina,Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Galletti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002277:Carcinoma; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000077143:Docetaxel; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077274:Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil
keywords: Chemotherapy; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; Olfactory Perception; Somatosensory Evoked Potentials; Radiotherapy