[Diagnosis of olfactory disorders]. / Diagnostik bei Riechstörungen.

Alongside a structured case history, the measurement of olfactory function and diagnosis of olfactory dysfunction is of great clinical importance. Validated and established methods have been developed to this aim. The "Sniffin' Sticks" test battery is an easy-to-use tool for assessing olfactory function. Recording of olfactory event-related potentials is a more objective approach, which is particularly important in medicolegal cases. Imaging techniques such as MRI and CT provide additional information in the diagnosis of olfactory disorders. The latter techniques enable the anatomical structures of the skull and brain with the areas relevant to olfactory function to be evaluated.

[Olfactory ensheathing cell tumour: case report and literature review]. / Tumor de las células envolventes del olfatorio: caso clínico y revisión de la literatura.

Olfactory ensheathing cells are glial cells located in the olfactory bulb and nerve. Microscopically, both olfactory ensheathing cells and Schwann cells have similar morphological and immunohistochemical features. However, olfactory ensheathing cells are negative for Leu-7(CD-57), whereas Schwann cells are positive. We present the case of a 49 year-old male with a history of visual impairment and hyposmia. Radiological CT and MRI studies showed a subfrontal cystic extra-axial mass, which eroded the right cribriform plate, with heterogeneous contrast enhancement. Total excision of the tumour was performed by bifrontal craniotomy. Histological examination initially suggested a schwannoma, with immunohistochemical staining being positive for S-100 protein and negative for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA). However, the tumour was negative for Leu-7. Accordingly, the final diagnosis was olfactory ensheathing cell tumour. Herein, we describe the sixth case of intracranial olfactory ensheathing cell tumour and stress the important role of immunohistochemical techniques in obtaining a definitive diagnosis.

Distorted olfactory perception: a systematic review.

The sense of smell provides people with valuable input from the chemical environment around them. The human sense of smell generally fails in three ways; one is an intensity reduction and the other two are the quality of changes. Smell disorders can be classified into central or peripheral depending on their origin. Central causes can be related to an area of hyper-functioning brain cells generating this odor perception, thus olfactory distortions have also been observed with epilepsy and migraine. In this paper, we present a review of the current clinical understanding of olfactory distortions and discuss how they can be evaluated and therapies to treat this debilitating condition.

Olfactory and psychomotor symptoms in HIV and aging: potential precursors to cognitive loss.

In the United States, more than 100,000 adults 50 years old and over are diagnosed with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The number of older adults living with HIV is increasing dramatically due primarily to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) which is transforming this disease into a chronic condition for many who are responding well to treatment. This population is also growing due to later-life infections and reflects the overall aging of the larger population in general. Yet, despite the novelty of such developing demographic trends, the negative consequences of aging with HIV are largely unknown. Therefore, it is necessary to synthesize the gerontological and HIV/AIDS literatures to hypothesize possible areas that may be of concern to people as they age with this disease. One area of particular concern focuses on tell-tale signs of cognitive problems and the development of dementia. Separately, older adults and adults with HIV are more susceptible of experiencing cognitive declines and dementia. Thus, as people age with HIV, they may be particularly susceptible of such cognitive problems and therefore detecting such problems in the early stages may be vital in preventing further problems. Based on the literature, adults infected with HIV experience impairments in olfaction and psychomotor ability. Similar symptoms are exhibited in older adults with Parkinson's disease and other dementias. Thus, for older adults with HIV, declines in both olfaction and psychomotor skills may be early signs of a developing neurodegenerative disorder. Implications for those aging with HIV are posited.