B R Haxel1, W G Murrell, A Mackay-Sim. 1. Hals-, Nasen-, Ohrenklinik und Poliklinik, Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität, Mainz. haxel@hno.klinik.uni-mainz.de
Abstract
BACKGROUND: An additional diagnostic option for olfactory dysfunction is the study of the olfactory epithelium. METHODS: Biopsies of the olfactory epithelium were performed under local anaesthesia on five patients with a history of head trauma with anosmic results in the Sniffin' Sticks test. The biopsy of a normosmic patient served as a control. Immunochemistry of frozen sections and explant culture studies were made, investigating ability to attach to the culture plate and the outgrowth of neuronal cells after growth-factor stimulation. RESULTS: The biopsies were carried out without any complications. All biopsies were positive for neurofilament, a marker for immature neurons. Substantial differences in the explants' ability to attach to the culture plate occurred, with a rate of between 25% and 100%. The control showed 67%. After stimulation with growth factors (FGF(2)), the cultures with more attached cells showed neuronal differentiation with the appearance of bipolar cells. CONCLUSIONS: The biopsy of the human olfactory epithelium is a minimally invasive procedure which can provide further information on specific changes and possible regenerative ability. Further studies with larger numbers of patients with different causes of an impaired sense of smell are needed to determine specific changes.
BACKGROUND: An additional diagnostic option for olfactory dysfunction is the study of the olfactory epithelium. METHODS: Biopsies of the olfactory epithelium were performed under local anaesthesia on five patients with a history of head trauma with anosmic results in the Sniffin' Sticks test. The biopsy of a normosmic patient served as a control. Immunochemistry of frozen sections and explant culture studies were made, investigating ability to attach to the culture plate and the outgrowth of neuronal cells after growth-factor stimulation. RESULTS: The biopsies were carried out without any complications. All biopsies were positive for neurofilament, a marker for immature neurons. Substantial differences in the explants' ability to attach to the culture plate occurred, with a rate of between 25% and 100%. The control showed 67%. After stimulation with growth factors (FGF(2)), the cultures with more attached cells showed neuronal differentiation with the appearance of bipolar cells. CONCLUSIONS: The biopsy of the human olfactory epithelium is a minimally invasive procedure which can provide further information on specific changes and possible regenerative ability. Further studies with larger numbers of patients with different causes of an impaired sense of smell are needed to determine specific changes.
Authors: D C Lanza; D A Deems; R L Doty; D Moran; D Crawford; J C Rowley; A Sajjadian; D W Kennedy Journal: Laryngoscope Date: 1994-07 Impact factor: 3.325
Authors: G Kobal; L Klimek; M Wolfensberger; H Gudziol; A Temmel; C M Owen; H Seeber; E Pauli; T Hummel Journal: Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol Date: 2000 Impact factor: 2.503
Authors: Gabriele V Ronnett; Donald Leopold; Xiaohe Cai; Kristen C Hoffbuhr; Linda Moses; Eric P Hoffman; Sakkubai Naidu Journal: Ann Neurol Date: 2003-08 Impact factor: 10.422