Topical Versus Injection PRP for Olfactory Dysfunction

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether two different delivery methods of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can improve olfactory function in adults with persistent olfactory dysfunction lasting more than three months. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does carrier-assisted topical application of PRP lead to comparable or better improvement in smell function than intranasal injection of PRP? 2. Which method provides greater patient comfort and fewer adverse effects? Researchers will compare carrier-assisted topical PRP application to intranasal PRP injection to see if one approach is more effective in restoring olfactory function. Participants will: 1. Receive a single PRP treatment delivered either by injection or via a PRP-soaked carrier placed into the olfactory cleft. 2. Continue daily olfactory training for three months following the intervention. 3. Undergo smell testing (Sniffin' Sticks) before and after treatment and complete quality-of-life questionnaires.

Timeline

Start

2025-10-01

Primary completion

2027-12-31

Completion

2028-12-31

Publications

• Background Bae AY, Kim DH, Hwang SH. Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Persistent Olfactory Impairment After COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Rhinol. 2024 Mar;31(1):1-7. doi: 10.18787/jr.2024.00006. Epub 2024 Mar 31.
• Background Duffy A, Naimi B, Garvey E, Hunter S, Kumar A, Kahn C, Farquhar D, D'Souza G, Rawson N, Dalton P, Toskala E, Rabinowitz M, Rosen M, Nyquist G, Rosen D. Topical platelet-rich plasma as a possible treatment for olfactory dysfunction-A randomized controlled trial. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2024 Sep;14(9):1455-1464. doi: 10.1002/alr.23363. Epub 2024 May 9.
• Background Jiang RS, Chiang YF. The Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma and Hyaluronic Acid Nasal Injections in the Treatment of Traumatic Olfactory Dysfunction. Ear Nose Throat J. 2024 Oct 15:1455613241291710. doi: 10.1177/01455613241291710. Online ahead of print.
• Background Lechien JR, Le Bon SD, Saussez S. Platelet-rich plasma injection in the olfactory clefts of COVID-19 patients with long-term olfactory dysfunction. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2023 May;280(5):2351-2358. doi: 10.1007/s00405-022-07788-8. Epub 2022 Dec 15.
• Background Yan CH, Mundy DC, Patel ZM. The use of platelet-rich plasma in treatment of olfactory dysfunction: A pilot study. Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol. 2020 Feb 21;5(2):187-193. doi: 10.1002/lio2.357. eCollection 2020 Apr.

Drugs

Indications