Liam Lee (left), Academic FY2 at Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, UK and Ms Tharsika Myuran (right), ENT ST7 Registrar, East of England.
In the heart of Geneva, an exciting two-day symposium on olfactory implants took place for the first time. It was an intimate session of 20–30 highly respected experts, gathered together from across the world. The attendees ranged from ENT surgeons to neurosurgeons, physicists, psychologists, engineers and laboratory scientists. The purpose? To delve into the intriguing world of olfactory implants – a new frontier in medical science that holds potential for enhancing our understanding and treatment of smell disorders.
Each expert presented a 20-minute segment that offered deep insights into their specialised area connected to olfactory implants. The talks skilfully navigated from the foundational concepts of olfactory implants to the intricate technicalities of their potential functionality. Dr Angelica Perez Fornios commenced the first day, describing the journey of vestibular implants from conception to clinical application. Mirroring these concepts were further talks and discussion on the usefulness of olfactory implants, stimulation and recording techniques, and lessons from related works such as cochlear implants and other nervous-system stimulation devices.
The first evening was marked by a vibrant dinner that provided an opportunity for informal interactions and the strengthening of professional bonds. This social aspect added a layer of warmth, fostering an environment where ideas could be exchanged freely and enthusiastically.
The next day focused on ‘where to stimulate’ chaired by Dr Eric Holbrook with much discussion on pros and cons of various approaches. Talks included thoughts on olfactory cleft variations (Dr Aytug Altundag), electrode placement (Dr Hakim Benhatar) and soft microelectrode arrays for neural recording and stimulation (Dr William Esposito). In contrast to implantation, the avenues of regrowing olfactory receptor neurons were also explored in a discussion chaired by Dr Zara Patel.
The symposium was not just a series of informative presentations, but also a way of building a community of experts dedicated to advancing this promising field. The event was impeccably organised by Professor Thomas Hummel, Professor Basile Landis, Ms Katie Whitcroft and Dr Moustafa Bensafi. Their efforts in bringing together such a talented group of professionals to allow confluence of unique ideas were commendable.
As the symposium drew to a close, there was a sense of accomplishment and anticipation for what is to come. The discussions that took place in Geneva are likely to spur further research and pave the way for innovative treatments and a deeper understanding of the human olfactory system.
Next Meeting: 2024 TBC.
