Abstract
To determine the importance of reattachment between the olfactory bulb and nerve, we performed an experiment under conditions in which the transected olfactory nerves were unable to make synaptic contact with the olfactory bulb.
After axotomy, a thin silicone plate was inserted on the lamina cribrosa of the ethmoidal bone to block the regenerating olfactory nerves. The regenerating olfactory nerves, which were completely blocked, formed a neuroma-like mass in front of the silicone plate.
Forty days after treatment, olfactory mucosa was obtained from the superior-posterior portion of the nasal septum and studied under light microscopy and transmission and scanning electron microscopy.
The olfactory mucosa of the treated side appeared thinner than that of the untreated side. The number of olfactory receptor cells was decreased and most of the epithelium was covered with ciliated cells. Olfactory vesicles were deformed and had no olfactory cilia or only a few short cilia. The histology reflected degeneration and or regeneration.
Regeneration of the olfactory mucosa after axotomy was impaired and delayed by blocking the reattachment between the olfactory bulb and the nerves.
