Traumatic brain injury and olfaction: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neuroscience
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can lead to significant neuropsychiatric issues.
• Olfactory dysfunction is a common but often overlooked complication of TBI.
• Characterizing smell deficits post-TBI is crucial for comprehensive patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review existing literature on olfactory function after TBI.
• To synthesize findings regarding the frequency and implications of post-TBI olfactory dysfunction.
• To assess olfactory dysfunction as a potential marker for other TBI morbidities.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of 25 English-language studies on TBI and olfactory function.
• Data extraction and tabulation of key findings from included studies.
• Qualitative synthesis of results to identify trends and patterns.

Main Results:

• A high frequency of olfactory dysfunction was consistently reported across studies.
• Methodologies varied, but the overall evidence points to significant smell impairment post-TBI.
• Post-TBI olfactory deficits may correlate with other structural or functional injuries.

Conclusions:

• Olfactory dysfunction is a prevalent consequence of TBI.
• Routinely assessing smell function post-TBI is recommended for better patient management.
• Olfactory deficits can serve as an indicator of broader TBI-related complications.