Prevalence of decreased olfactory function in adults in a Brazilian population sample.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of undiagnosed olfactory changes in individuals over 40 and the associated factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study enrolled a group of adult and elderly patients who did not report any nasal issues or olfactory changes with a clear or highly probable causal connection. They were subjected to the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) and the Visual Analog Scale to evaluate olfactory capacity.

Quiescent horizontal basal stem cells act as a niche for olfactory neurogenesis in a mouse 3D organoid model.

The olfactory epithelium contains two basal stem cell populations that facilitate the usually life-long ability for neuronal regeneration that is required for maintaining our sense of smell. Horizontal basal cells (HBCs) are generally quiescent and only become active after direct injury to the epithelium that eliminates more than just the olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs). Globose basal cells (GBCs) lie apical to HBCs and are solely responsible for the generation of olfactory neurons in the undamaged epithelium.

Rhinosinusitis: Evidence and experience - 2024.

It has been 10-years since the publication of Rhinosinusitis: evidence and experience, and since then a lot has changed in our understanding of the disease. Advances in pathophysiology, endotyping and new treatments such as biologics brought a new era in the management of our patients. This new guideline, developed jointly by ABR and ABORL-CCF, with the help of ASBAI presents an updated, evidence-based approach to the different forms of rhinosinusitis that aims to improve the diagnosis and treatment of this complex disease.

Blood IgE and Eosinophils are not Reliable Predictors of Nasal Tissue Eosinophils in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyposis.

 Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the paranasal sinuses that is mainly associated with type-2 inflammation. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) and eosinophils in blood and nasal tissue have been suggested as biomarkers for the prognosis and severity of CRSwNP as well as indications for biological treatment.  The present study aims to assess the relationships between blood IgE concentration, blood eosinophil count, and nasal polyp eosinophil count in CRSwNP patients.

Efficacy of the adjunctive use of photobiomodulation therapy in olfactory disorders in post-COVID-19 patients: A randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) is a non-invasive treatment that uses photons from the red to infrared spectrum to modulate cellular processes with anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties. This study aimed to evaluate the use of PBMT applied intranasally in patients with an impaired sense of smell after COVID-19.

Methods: This proof-of-concept study was a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial that recruited 81 patients with olfactory disorders after SARS-CoV-2 infection (1-12 months), randomly assigned to 3 groups: controls, red light and infrared light exposure groups.

Efficacy of Using Photobiomodulation Therapy in Allergic Rhinitis: A Placebo-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Recent studies have extensively explored new non-invasive and side-effect-free therapeutic strategies for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR). Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) utilizes photons from the red to infrared spectrum to modulate biological processes, exhibiting anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties. The objective of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of PBMT in patients with AR.

Investigating the efficacy of melatonin, topical sodium citrate, and multivitamin with zinc as a potential treatment for postinfectious loss of smell.

Objectives: Upper respiratory tract infections, including COVID-19, are associated with olfactory dysfunction and there is a need for novel therapeutic approaches. The aim of study was evaluating the effectiveness of adding melatonin, multivitamin and sodium citrate to olfactory training for the treatment of olfactory loss caused by COVID-19.

Methods: We evaluated olfactory function using University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT ®) scores and self-reported patient outcomes in post-infectious smell loss cases.

Development and validation of the MultiScent-20 digital odour identification test using item response theory.

Although validated and reliable psychophysical tests of olfactory function are available, an easy-to-use and feasible test has yet to be developed. This study aimed to design a digital odour identification test, evaluate its validity, assess its reliability, establish a normative curve, and explore the impact of demographic factors. The odour identification test was presented with the Multiscent-20, a hand-held, tablet-like digital scent device that features an integrated odour digital delivery system.

Validation of the questionnaire of olfactory disorders (QOD) for the Brazilian population.

Background: The incidence of olfactory disorders has increased in recent years, mainly related to COVID-19 infection. In Brazil, over 37 million cases of COVID-19 have been reported, and approximately 10 % of those cases continue to experience olfactory disorders for more than one month. Despite the significant negative impact on well-being, there is currently no validated instrument to assess how olfactory disorders impact the quality of life in Brazil.

Changes in Auditory Evoked Potentials Increase the Chances of Adults Having Central Auditory Processing Disorder.

 Auditory evoked potentials are widely used in clinical practice to complement the assessment of central auditory processing. However, it is necessary to understand whether these potentials are highly accurate, to assist in the diagnosis of auditory processing disorder.  To measure the accuracy of middle and long latency auditory evoked potentials in the diagnosis of auditory processing disorder in adults.

Exploring the impact of inflammatory endotypes on olfactory function and quality of life in chronic rhinosinusitis patients.

Objectives: The aim of this observational cross-sectional study was to determine the endotypic inflammatory pattern of a sample of patients with CRS in Brazil, correlate it with olfactory function, and evaluate the clinical severity of the disease.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 73 CRS patients were recruited. Patients were classified into type 2 and non-type 2 endotypic patterns based on IgE and eosinophilia levels.

Standardization of Latency and Amplitude Values of Short, Middle and Long Latency Auditory Evoked Potentials in Adults.

 Auditory processing refers to the efficiency and effectiveness with which the central auditory nervous system uses auditory information. Middle- and long-latency auditory evoked potentials are objective electrophysiological tests that can complement the diagnosis of alterations involving central auditory processing.  To standardize latency and amplitude values for short-, middle-, and long-latency auditory evoked potentials in adults with normal hearing thresholds.

High prevalence of olfactory impairment among leprosy patients: A cross-sectional study.

Background: The effect of leprosy on the sense of smell is not yet fully established. Studies that have relied only on patients' perceptions may have under- or over-estimated the change in smell perception. A validated and psychophysical method is necessary to avoid these errors in assessment.

High prevalence of olfactory dysfunction detected in treatment-naive patients with head and neck cancer.

Background: Previous studies demonstrated the difficulty of patients with Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) in sensing food taste, a function in which olfaction has a significant role. However, neither study employed psychophysical tests or control groups to establish the veracity of such complaints.

Aims/objectives: In this study, we quantitatively tested the olfactory function of HNC individuals and compared their function to that of healthy controls.

Association of air pollution with olfactory identification performance of São Paulo residents: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: Exposure to particulate matter of 10 μm or less in diameter (PM) has been implicated in pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases. However, the effect of PM on olfaction has not been well established. We estimated individual acute and chronic PM exposure levels in a large Brazilian cohort and related them to the ability to identify odors.

Chemosensory Dysfunction 3-Months After COVID-19, Medications and Factors Associated with Complete Recovery.

Objectives: To examine the longitudinal prevalence and recovery of olfactory, gustatory, and oral chemesthetic deficits in a sizable cohort of SARS-CoV-2 infected persons using quantitative testing. To determine whether demographic and clinical factors, mainly the medications used after the COVID-19 diagnosis, influence the test measures.

Methods: Prospective cohort in a hospital with primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary care.

The digital scent device as a new concept for olfactory assessment.

Background: There are major challenges in olfactory measurements in clinical practice; therefore, a handheld digital scent device (DSD; Noar MultiScent 20) was developed as a tablet with an integrated storage system for odors. The DSD is a self-administered, handheld device that controls the duration of odor release to the nasal cavity through a touchscreen digital interface with automatic database generation. In this study we aimed to determine the feasibility of this DSD as an olfactory assessment test.

Safety for the Rhinologist in the Age of COVID-19: Mask Use, Nasal Corticosteroids, Saline Irrigation, and Endoscopic Procedures - Literature Review.

 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has claimed millions of lives. Adequate protection of the professionals involved in patient care is essential in the battle against this disease. However, there is much uncertainty involving safety-relarted topics that are of particular interest to the rhinologist in the context of COVID-19.

Effectiveness and Adverse Effects of Tranexamic Acid in Bleeding during Adenotonsillectomy: A Randomized, Controlled, Double-blind Clinical Trial.

 Intra and postoperative bleeding are the most frequent and feared complications in adenotonsillectomy (AT). Tranexamic acid (TXA), which is known for its antifibrinolytic effects, has a proven benefit in reducing bleeding in hemorrhagic trauma and cardiac surgery; however, the effectiveness and timing of its application in AT have not yet been established.  We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of TXA in controlling bleeding during and after AT and assess its possible adverse effects in children.

Biopsy of the olfactory epithelium from the superior nasal septum: is it possible to obtain neurons without damaging olfaction?

Introduction: Olfactory epithelium biopsy has been useful for studying diverse otorhinolaryngological and neurological diseases, including the potential to better understand the pathophysiology behind COVID-19 olfactory manifestations. However, the safety and efficacy of the technique for obtaining human olfactory epithelium are still not fully established.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of harvesting olfactory epithelium cells, nerve bundles, and olfactory epithelium proper for morphological analysis from the superior nasal septum.

Olfactory Dysfunction in Frontline Health Care Professionals During COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil.

Upper respiratory viral infections can decrease the sense of smell either by inflammatory restriction of nasal airflow that carries the odorant molecules or through interference in olfactory sensory neuron function. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, triggered by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), worldwide reports of severe smell loss (anosmia/hyposmia) revealed a different type of olfactory dysfunction associated with respiratory virus infection. Since self-reported perception of smell is subjective and SARS-CoV-2 exposure is variable in the general population, we aimed to study a population that would be more homogeneously exposed to the virus.

Evaluation of ocular involvement in patients with Hansen's disease.

Hansen's disease (HD) belongs to the group of neglected diseases and can cause physical deformities and disabilities, in addition to leading to social discrimination. Ocular involvement in HD is estimated at 70-75% worldwide. About 10-50% suffer from severe ocular symptoms and loss of vision occurs in approximately 5% of cases.