Mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment of olfactory dysfunction in rhinosinusitis

BackgroundOlfactory dysfunction is a common symptom of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), affecting approximately 60-80% of patients. This impairment significantly impacts patients' quality of life and increases the risk of hazardous events.ObjectiveThis study aims to summarize and analyze the epidemiology, risk factors, and pathogenesis of CRS-related olfactory dysfunction. It also describes subjective and objective methods for olfactory assessment and discusses the latest diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, while proposing future research directions.MethodsA comprehensive literature review was conducted to analyze the pathophysiology, clinical characteristics, and treatment strategies for CRS-related olfactory dysfunction. This study compares different olfactory assessment tools, examines the role of inflammatory factors, and evaluates the effectiveness of various treatments.ResultsThe pathogenesis of CRS-related olfactory dysfunction involves conductive factors, inflammatory processes, and olfactory bulb disuse atrophy. While surgical and pharmacological treatments are effective for some patients, the overall efficacy remains debatable. Traditional olfactory training emerges as a promising, non-invasive therapeutic approach with significant potential.ConclusionsOlfactory dysfunction is a prevalent issue among CRS patients and is closely associated with type 2 inflammation. Future research should focus on understanding the dynamic changes in olfactory bulb volume and the functional transition of olfactory neuroepithelial stem cells. Although corticosteroid therapy is widely used, the optimal administration route requires further investigation, and the long-term efficacy of surgical treatment remains a topic of ongoing debate.