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Olfactory mucosa histological findings in laryngectomees

  • Rhinology
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Abstract

After total laryngectomy, the patients often report immediate and marked olfactory deficit. The aim of this study was to determine whether hyposmia in laryngectomees reflects olfactory epithelial damage. Ten laryngectomized patients and ten rhinologically normal subjects were subjected to olfactory testing, after which histological examination of biopsied olfactory mucosa was performed. Olfactory testing in laryngectomees revealed a marked reduction in odor perception. Histological examination of olfactory mucosa specimens showed that in laryngectomees some neuroepithelial structural features were comparable with those found in normal subjects. However, additional signs of damage were also observed, consisting mainly of various degrees of epithelial degeneration, above and beyond those that are characteristic of physiological epithelium turnover. These different degenerative features consisted of severe damage to the neuroepithelium, culminating in complete topical loss. Bowman's glands were also observed to be involved in the degenerative process. Laryngectomy-induced hyposmia seems to be correlated with the almost complete loss of nasal airflow due to the disconnection between the upper and lower airways, which prevents odor molecules from reaching the olfactory area, together with degenerative phenomena, which affect the neuroepithelium, and consequent failure in neurosensorial performance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgical Sciences, Otolaryngology Section, University of Udine, Piazzale S. M. della Misericordia, 33100 , Udine, Italy

    Cesare Miani

  2. Department of Medical and Morphological Research, Histology and Embryology Section, University of Udine, Udine, Italy

    Fulvia Ortolani, Lucia Petrelli & Maurizio Marchini

  3. Department of Otolaryngology, Civil Hospital of Udine, Udine, Italy

    Anna Maria Bergamin Bracale

  4. Department of Otolaryngology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy

    Alberto Staffieri

Authors
  1. Cesare Miani
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  2. Fulvia Ortolani
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  3. Anna Maria Bergamin Bracale
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  4. Lucia Petrelli
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  5. Alberto Staffieri
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  6. Maurizio Marchini
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Correspondence to Cesare Miani.

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Miani, C., Ortolani, F., Bracale, A.M.B. et al. Olfactory mucosa histological findings in laryngectomees. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 260, 529–535 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-003-0638-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-003-0638-3

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