Nasal airway resistance and olfactory acuity following transsphenoidal pituitary surgery

Rhinological problems after a transseptal transsphenoidal approach for pitu itary tumors were prospectively investigated in 25 patients with special re ference to nasal airway, resistance and olfactory acuity. Five patients sho wed a significant increase in the unilateral and/or total nasal airway resi stance. Endoscopic observation of the nasal cavity revealed the presence of crust formation, hypertrophy of the inferior turbinate, or synechiae. Thre e patients showed a significant deterioration in olfactory acuity. Coronal CT views with good visualization of the olfactory cleft were helpful in eva luating causes of hyposmia postoperatively.