[Smell dysfunction in nasal and paranasal sinus disease: a review of the literature (I)].

Substantial advances have been achieved during the last decade in our understanding of the biological bases of the sense of smell, as well as in the clinical identification, diagnosis, and management of dysosmia. Nasal obstruction can result from inflammatory, neoplastic, traumatic, and developmental alterations within the nasal cavity. All these processes, if they result in bilateral restriction of airflow to the olfactory neuroepithelium, presumably alter the ability to smell. Rhinitis, nasal polyposis, and rhinosinusitis are accompanied by decreased ability to smell. Benign and malignant neoplasms can obstruct the nasal chamber and thereby alter airflow to the olfactory receptors without damaging the olfactory neuroepithelium. The purpose of this synthesis is to provide an advanced review of the literature in order to describe the basis of smell alterations in nasal polyposis and chronic rhinosinusitis.