Our Summary

This study looked at how different causes affected the severity, treatment, and outcome of disorders related to smell and taste in 270 patients. They found that trauma-related causes were linked with younger people, mostly men, and were associated with the most severe loss of smell. Infections were more common in women and were often connected with a history of throat surgery, suggesting a risk of virus-related sensory issues after having the adenoids or tonsils removed. Smell changes also occurred frequently with infections and were more common in women.

In cases where the cause was related to the nose or sinuses, having nasal polyps worsened the overall smell test score by about 50%. In these cases, the ability to detect and distinguish smells decreased, but the ability to identify smells wasn’t significantly affected by the polyps. Nose or sinus-related dysfunction was the only cause that showed significant improvement after treatment.

The study confirmed a strong connection between the subjective experience of smell and taste impairment and the objective measurements of these senses. The research provides a detailed look at how the cause of smell and taste loss is linked with characteristics like gender, age, other health conditions, surgeries, disease severity, and sensory abilities.

FAQs

  1. What factors were associated with the most severe loss of smell in the study?
  2. How do nasal polyps affect the ability to smell and the overall smell test score?
  3. Did the study find any improvement in smell and taste impairment after treatment?

Doctor’s Tip

After nasal polyp removal, it is important to follow your doctor’s post-operative instructions carefully to ensure proper healing and prevent complications. This may include using saline nasal sprays, avoiding irritants such as smoke or strong odors, and attending follow-up appointments to monitor your progress. Additionally, maintaining good nasal hygiene through regular cleaning and avoiding allergens can help prevent the recurrence of nasal polyps. If you experience any persistent symptoms or changes in your sense of smell or taste after the procedure, be sure to contact your doctor for further evaluation.

Suitable For

Patients who are recommended nasal polyp removal typically have chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps, which can cause symptoms such as nasal congestion, postnasal drip, reduced sense of smell, facial pain, and headaches. These patients may have tried other treatments such as nasal corticosteroids, nasal irrigation, and antibiotics without success. Nasal polyp removal may be recommended to improve symptoms and restore a patient’s sense of smell and taste.

Timeline

Before nasal polyp removal:

  1. Patient may experience symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, postnasal drip, reduced sense of smell, and facial pain or pressure.
  2. Patient may undergo diagnostic tests such as nasal endoscopy, CT scan, or MRI to confirm the presence of nasal polyps.
  3. Treatment options may include medications such as corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, antibiotics for sinus infections, or nasal sprays to alleviate symptoms.

After nasal polyp removal:

  1. Patient undergoes surgery to remove the nasal polyps, which may be done using endoscopic techniques to minimize trauma and promote quicker recovery.
  2. Patient may experience mild discomfort or pain in the nose and sinuses after surgery, which can be managed with pain medications.
  3. Patient may notice improved nasal breathing, reduced congestion, and a gradual return of sense of smell.
  4. Follow-up appointments with the surgeon are scheduled to monitor healing progress and address any concerns or complications.
  5. Patient may be advised to continue using nasal sprays or medications to prevent recurrence of nasal polyps.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about nasal polyp removal include:

  1. What are the potential risks and complications associated with nasal polyp removal surgery?
  2. How long is the recovery process after nasal polyp removal surgery?
  3. Will I need to follow any specific post-operative care instructions?
  4. How likely is it that the nasal polyps will reoccur after removal?
  5. Will the removal of nasal polyps improve my sense of smell and taste?
  6. Are there any alternative treatment options to consider before opting for surgery?
  7. How many nasal polyp removal surgeries have you performed, and what is your success rate?
  8. How long do the effects of nasal polyp removal typically last?
  9. Are there any specific lifestyle changes I should make to prevent the recurrence of nasal polyps?
  10. How soon after the surgery can I expect to see an improvement in my sense of smell and taste?

Reference

Authors: Trache MC, Schipp JMH, Haack M, Adderson-Kisser C, Högerle C, Becker S, Betz CS. Journal: Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2023 Sep;280(9):4111-4119. doi: 10.1007/s00405-023-07967-1. Epub 2023 May 9. PMID: 37160463