Immunohistochemical Studies of Olfactory Mucosa in Patients with Olfactory Disturbances

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Abstract
In order to examine the functional morphology of the human olfactory mucosa when olfaction is disturbed, immunohistochemical methods have been applied to mucosal biopsies. In the group of patients examined anosmia was due to bilateral choanal atresia, to chronic sinusitis, to the common cold (viral infection), and to head trauma. One subject had anosmia of unknown etiology. Antibodies against neuron-specific enolase, glia-specific S-100 protein, and cytokeratin were used as markers for the functional morphology of olfactory receptor cells, Bowman's glands, nerve bundles, and basal cells. Each specimen of mucosa revealed characteristic immunohistochemical findings.