[Three cases report of olfactory cleft disease].

OBJECTIVE

To report a new entity-olfactory cleft disease, and summarize the clinical characteristics, computerized tomography presentation, as well as the effect of trial therapy.

METHODS

Three patients with chief complaint of anosmia were evaluated by thorough ENT examination, T&T olfactory testing, sinonasal endoscopy; sinonasal computerized tomography imaging, and olfactory event-related potentials. All patients accepted trial therapy including antibiotics and corticosteroid.

RESULTS

Complete obstruction of bilateral olfactory cleft with cleft mucosal edema was seen during endoscopy in all 3 patients. Anosmia was determined in all patients by T&T olfactory testing. No olfactory event-related potentials was identified in all patients. CT revealed soft tissue image limited to bilateral olfactory cleft. No olfactory improvement was found in 2 patients after trial medical therapy. One patient had transitory olfactory improvement after corticosteroid treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Olfactory cleft disease is a new entity, with chief complaint of anosmia. Nasal endoscopy and computed tomography scanning provides the most information for the diagnosis. Effect of medical therapy is poor.