The importance of olfactory and trigeminal event-related potentials (OERPs/TERPs) in the assessment of olfactory function in subjects with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis.

OBJECTIVES

Smell impairment (SI) is a well-known symptom of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). The aim of study was to analyze olfactory and trigeminal event-related potentials (OERPs/TERPs) and psychophysical smell tests in subjects with CRSwNP, and its potential role in clinical practice.

METHODS

Prospective study included 57 subjects. Two investigated groups with CRSwNP and one control group. Group I (n = 20) contained subjects without CRSwNP before septoplasty. Group II (n = 18) contained subjects with CRSwNP without therapy. Group III (n = 19) contained subjects with CRSwNP after intranasal corticosteroid therapy. Sniffin stick identification smell test and OERPs/TERPs were performed in all subjects.

RESULTS

According to the psychophysical smell test, SI was detected in 65% of subjects with CRSwNP. In the control Group I (without CRSwNP), the absence of OERPs was 5.0%, whilethe mean absence rate in Groups II, III (with CRSwNP) was 8.1%. The highest percentage of absence of OERPs was registered in Group II (11.1%). Absence of TERPs was detected in an average of 21.6% of CRSwNP subjects. Group III showed the highest percentage of absence of TERPs (32%). In the control Group I, TERPs were absent in 0% of subjects.

CONCLUSION

CRSwNP significantly impairs olfactory function compared to patients without CRSwNP, Absence of TERPs was detected in an average of 21.6% of CRSwNP subjects versus healthy controls (0%). Presence of TERPs appears to be a predictor of preservation of olfactory function.