Olfaction in Laryngectomees

Roh, Hwan Jung; Cho, Jae Min; Wang, Soo Geun; Chon, Kyong Myong; Goh, Eui Kyung

Abstract

Knowledge about the mechanism and factors that influence olfaction in laryngectomees remains unclear. The aims of this study were to determine the effect of nasal airflow on olfactory ability, as measured by sniff alone and laryngeal bypass with sniff ; to evaluate varying olfactory abilities according to the status of the speech mechanisms in esophageal speakers (ES) and tracheoesophageal shunt speakers (TES) ; and to assess the relationship between speech acceptability and olfactory ability in laryngectomees. Two laryngectomee groups, consisting of ES and TES, and age-matched controls were analyzed through questionnaires, tests applying a Japanese T&T olfactometer to measure thresholds of odor detection and recognition, intravenous alinamin injection tests, and measures of speech acceptability. The findings that laryngeal bypass with sniff and the TES group demonstrated lower olfactory thresholds and shorter latent times than sniff alone and the ES group was informative about the importance of nasal airflow to the olfactory ability in laryngectomees. Furthermore, the close relationship found between olfactory threshold and speech acceptability showed that the ability to transport airflow through the nasal cavity during speech had a strong influence on olfactory ability in laryngectomees.