"Taste Strips” - A rapid, lateralized, gustatory bedside identification test based on impregnated filter papers

Objective : To elaborate normative values for a clinical psychophysical taste test ("Taste Strips”). Background : The "Taste Strips” are a psychophysical chemical taste test. So far, no definitive normative data had been published and only a fairly small sample size has been investigated. In light of this shortcoming for this easy, reliable and quick taste testing device, we attempted to provide normative values suitable for the clinical use. Setting : Normative value acquisition study, multicenter study. Methods : The investigation involved 537 participants reporting a normal sense of smell and taste (318 female, 219 male, mean age 44 years, age range 18-87 years). The taste test was based on spoonshaped filter paper strips ("Taste Strips”) impregnated with the four (sweet, sour, salty, and bitter) taste qualities in four different concentrations. The strips were placed on the left or right side of the anterior third of the extended tongue, resulting in a total of 32 trials. With their tongue still extended, patients had to identify the taste from a list of four descriptors, i. e., sweet, sour, salty, and bitter (multiple forcedchoice). To obtain an impression of overall gustatory function, the number of correctly identified tastes was summed up for a "taste score”. Results : Taste function decreased significantly with age. Women exhibited significantly higher taste scores than men which was true for all age groups. The taste score at the 10th percentile was selected as a cut-off value to distinguish normogeusia from hypogeusia. Results from a small series of patients with ageusia confirmed the clinical usefulness of the proposed normative values. Conclusion : The present data provide normative values for the "Taste Strips” based on over 500 subjects teste

Eccentric lamellar keratolimbal grafts harvested with a manually guided microkeratome

Background: To perform lamellar keratolimbal allograft transplantation in a one- step procedure with a single graft, we investigated the feasibility of harvesting eccentric lamellar keratolimbal grafts from conventionally processed corneoscleral buttons using a manually guided microkeratome in conjunction with an artificial anterior chamber system. Methods: We used the Moria LSK- One microkeratome and the automated lamellar therapeutic keratoplasty ( ALTK) system ( Antony, France). Ten human donor eyes were used to obtain single- piece lamellar keratolimbal grafts. Specimens were processed for light and electron microscopy. Results: Eccentric keratolimbal grafts could be obtained from all human donor buttons. Grafts include a crescent- shaped limbal and a large corneal portion. No visible damage to the limbal region was discernible. Conclusion: Our data show that the LSK- One microkeratome in conjunction with the ALTK system allows harvesting eccentric keratolimbal grafts from donor corneoscleral buttons. Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel

Position Paper on Olfactory Dysfunction

Background: Olfactory dysfunction is an increasingly recognised condition, associated with reduced quality of life and major health outcomes such as neurodegeneration and death. However, translational research in this field is limited by heterogeneity in methodological approach, including definitions of impairment, improvement and appropriate assessment techniques. Accordingly, effective treatments are limited. In an effort to encourage high quality and comparable work in this field, among others, we propose the following ideas and recommendations. Whilst full recommendations are outlined in the main document, key points include: -Patients with suspected olfactory loss should undergo a full examination of the head and neck, including rigid nasal endoscopy. -Subjective olfactory assessment should not be undertaken in isolation, given its poor reliability. -Psychophysical assessment tools used in clinical and research settings should include reliable and validated tests of odour threshold, and/or one of odour identification or discrimination. -Comprehensive chemosensory assessment should include gustatory screening. -Smell training can be helpful in patients with olfactory loss of several aetiologies. Conclusions: We hope the current manuscript will encourage clinicians and researchers to adopt a common language, and in so doing, increase the methodological quality, consistency and generalisability of work in this field

Systemic corticosteroids in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19)‐related smell dysfunction: an international view

The frequent association between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) and olfactory dysfunction is creating an unprecedented demand for a treatment of the olfactory loss. Systemic corticosteroids have been considered as a therapeutic option. However, based on current literature, we call for caution using these treatments in early COVID‐19–related olfactory dysfunction because: (1) evidence supporting their usefulness is weak; (2) the rate of spontaneous recovery of COVID‐19–related olfactory dysfunction is high; and (3) corticosteroids have well‐known potential adverse effects. We encourage randomized placebo‐controlled trials investigating the efficacy of systemic steroids in this indication and strongly emphasize to initially consider smell training, which is supported by a robust evidence base and has no known side effects

Immunohistochemical, volumetric, and functional neuroimaging studies in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease

Idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) is closely associated with olfactory loss. Deficits in the sense of smell may precede clinical motor symptoms by years. Although there is more and more evidence from recent studies to support this view, it remains unclear which substrates would cause the olfactory deficit. Studies based on biopsies from the olfactory epithelium did not reveal specific changes in the nasal mucosa of PD patients compared to patients who were hyposmic for other reasons. Thus, PD-related olfactory impairment seems not to be directly associated with specific changes in the olfactory epithelium. With regard to volumetrics of the olfactory bulb (OB) results indicated that there is little or no difference between PD patients and healthy controls in terms of OB volume. Again, these data support the idea that olfactory loss in PD is not a consequence of damage to the olfactory epithelium but rather results from central-nervous changes. Finally, studies based on functional MRI suggested that neuronal activity in the amygdala and hippocampus is reduced in PD patients compared to controls which may specifically impact on olfactory function. In addition, neuronal activity in components of cortico-striatal loops appears to be up-regulated indicating compensatory processes involving the dopaminergic system. Thus, it seems that cerebral changes, and not changes at the level of the olfactory epithelium, are the basis of the olfactory loss observed in PD patients

Diagnostics and treatment of olfactory dysfunction

ZusammenfassungHintergrundDysosmien zahlen zu den haufigsten Storungen/Erkrankungen im HNO-Fachgebiet, epidemiologische Daten fehlen weitgehend, und die Therapiestrategien sind unzureichend standardisiert.FragestellungErhebung der Ursachen von Riechstorungen und den angewendeten Behandlungsstrategien an HNO-Kliniken im deutschsprachigen Raum. Auswertung und Vergleich mit den Ergebnissen aus der Umfrage im Jahr 2000 und Durchfuhrung einer Literaturanalyse zur Therapie von Riechstorungen.Material und MethodenDie Umfrage erfolgte 2010 mit einem zweiseitigen Fragebogen zu Riechstorungen, der an alle HNO-Kliniken im deutschsprachigen Raum verschickt wurde. Die Analyse schloss die Literatur aus PubMed, der Cochrane Library sowie themenrelevanten Leitlinien ein.ErgebnisseAn HNO-Kliniken wurde die Diagnose Dysosmie seltener gestellt (Ruckgang um 52%) Die 3am haufigsten genannten Therapieansatze waren Kortikosteroide (topisch und systemisch) und systemische Antibiotika. Bei sinunasalen Dysosmien zeigte sich in der Literaturanalyse ein kleiner bis mittlerer Effekt von topischen Steroiden.SchlussfolgerungDa eine Halbierung der Pravalenz von Riechstorungen unwahrscheinlich ist, beruht die geringere Patientenzahl moglicherweise auf einer kritischeren Diagnostik. Die Anwendung des Riechtrainings hat in den Kliniken stark zugenommen (von <6% auf 29%). Der Einsatz von topischen Steroiden bei der Behandlung von sinunasalen Dysosmien ist evidenzbasiert. Das Riechtraining stellt besonders bei postinfektiosen und posttraumatischen Riechstorungen eine sichere und effektive Therapieoption dar. AbstractBackgroundDysosmia is one of the most common disorders in otorhinolaryngology. However, epidemiological data are lacking and treatment strategies are insufficiently standardized.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of causes of olfactory disorders and the different therapeutic approaches used in ENT departments in German-speaking countries. The results were also compared to findings of the survey in 2000. Furthermore, asystematic review of treatment strategies was conducted.Materials and methodsIn 2010, atwo-page survey addressing olfactory dysfunction was sent to all ENT departments in German-speaking countries. The literature review included sources such as PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and relevant guidelines.ResultsThe diagnosis of dysosmia was made less frequently in ENT departments (decrease of 52%). The three most widely used therapeutic approaches were corticosteroids (topical and systemic) and systemic antibiotics. There is evidence in the literature showing asmall to medium effect of topical steroids in sinonasal smell disorders.ConclusionSince a 50% decrease in the prevalence of olfactory disturbances is unlikely, the lower patient numbers may relate to amore critical diagnosis. The use of olfactory training in clinics has increased significantly (from <6% to up to 23%). The use of topical steroids for sinonasal dysosmia is evidence based. Smell training is asafe and effective treatment strategy, especially in post-infectious and post-traumatic olfactory disorders

Olfactory function in patients with olfactory groove meningioma

OBJECTIVES—Olfactory meningiomas are rare benign tumours and represent about 12% of all basal meningiomas. Anosmia is thought to be among the first symptoms, even though patients often present with headaches or visual problems. However, so far no detailed physophysical tests of olfactory function have been performed in a large number of those patients.
METHODS—Twelve patients (five men, seven women; mean age 52 years) with olfactory meningiomas were examined. In all patients extensive preoperative and postoperative lateralised olfactory testing was performed using the "Sniffin' Sticks" test battery, a psychometric testing tool. In eight cases the meningioma was lateralised (five left, three right), in four patients a bilateral meningioma was found. In addition to a detailed ear, nose, and throat examination MRI was performed in all patients.
RESULTS—In preoperative testing six patients were found to be anosmic on the side of the tumour, two were hyposmic. Four patients were normosmic. Postoperative investigations showed lateralised anosmia in four patients on the operated side, three were normosmic on the contralateral side and one hyposmic. The remaining eight patients were completely anosmic postoperatively.
CONCLUSIONS—(1) Contrary to expectations, olfactory testing seems to be of little help in detecting olfactory meningiomas. (2) The likelihood of normal postoperative olfactory function contralateral to the tumour was high when the tumour was less than 3 cm in diameter and preoperative normosmia had been established. (3) Preservation of olfactory function ipsilateral to the tumour seems to be extremely difficult, irrespective of tumour size or surgical approach.