The relationship between endoscopic and radiologic findings and olfactory status of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps before and after the endoscopic sinus surgery.

INTRODUCTION: This study was attempted to investigate the relationship between radiologic and endoscopic findings and pre- and post-operative olfactory scores in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 40 patients aged 19-64 years with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery were involved. The patients' olfactory status was evaluated using Smell Identification Test (Iran SIT) before and 3 months after the surgery. Patients' nasal endoscopic signs were recorded using Modified Lund-Kennedy scoring system before and 3 months after the surgery and radiological symptoms were recorded based on Lund-Mackay CT scoring before the surgery. Then the relationship between olfactory status and endoscopic and radiological findings was investigated.

RESULTS: With respect to mean of olfactory score, a significant difference was observed before and after the surgery (p value = 0.001). There was a significant difference between means of pre- and post-operative endoscopy scores (p value = 0.001). Pre-operative endoscopic and CT scan scores had a negative correlation with pre- and post-operative olfactory scores (p value < 0.05). Pre-op. olfactory scores had negative correlation with post-op. endoscopy scores (p value = 0.02). Post-op. olfactory scores had negative correlation with post-op. endoscopy scores but was not statistically significant (p value = 0.22).

CONCLUSION: Our results revealed that pre-operative endoscopy and radiology findings were consistent with the olfactory status of patients with CRSwNP before and after endoscopic sinus surgery.