Clinical Value of Olfactory Function Test Following Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Shin, Seung Heon; Sohn, Jin Ho; Park, Jae Yul

Abstract

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery(FESS) is now the surgical procedure of choice for treating chronic sinusitis in patients of all ages. We performed the olfactory threshold test after FESS and assessed its clinical value. From Feburary 1996 through July 1966, fifty bilateral sinusitis patients had received FESS and butanol threshold test and odor identification test were performed pre-operatively, at post-operative 1 month, and at post-operative 2 months. We analyzed preoperative computed tomography to determine the grade of sinusitis and status of olfactory fissure. The status of olfactory fissure significantly influenced the preoperative olfactory threshold score(p<0.001). At post-operative 2 months, the subjective symptoms of the patients were improved in 96% of patients and objective olfactory threshold were improve in 68% of patients. There was no correlation between subjective symptoms and olfactory threshold improvement. Our study suggests that the olfactory threshold test may predict the result of FESS, however for more accurate and reliable assessment, we should consider other objective methods like anterior rhinomanometry, acoustic rhinometry, ciliary beat frequency test, and post-operative endoscopic findings.