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Related Experiment Videos

Smell impairment. Can it be reversed?

T M Davidson1, C Murphy, A A Jalowayski

  • 1Division of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, School of Medicine, San Diego, USA.

Postgraduate Medicine
|July 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary

Loss of smell, often mistaken for taste loss, can stem from inflammation, infection, or trauma. Early diagnosis and treatment, especially for inflammation with corticosteroids, can restore smell, but safety precautions are vital if recovery is unlikely.

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Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Neurology
  • Allergology

Background:

  • Olfactory dysfunction, commonly presenting as taste loss, affects patients' quality of life.
  • Common causes include inflammation (e.g., allergies), viral infections, and head trauma.
  • Other potential causes include toxin exposure and congenital conditions.

Observation:

  • Patients often self-report smell loss as taste disturbance.
  • Standardized olfactory testing is crucial to confirm and quantify smell impairment.
  • Medical history can reveal potential causes like toxin exposure or prior head injuries.

Findings:

  • Inflammation is the only readily reversible cause of olfactory disturbance.
  • Smell recovery after corticosteroid treatment confirms inflammation as the cause.

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  • Sinus CT scans are essential to evaluate the olfactory cleft for obstructions.
  • Absence of obstruction on CT suggests non-reversible smell impairment.

    • Implications:

    • Accurate diagnosis of smell loss requires objective testing and imaging.
    • Prognosis and patient counseling are critical, especially when recovery is unlikely.
    • Patients with persistent olfactory loss must be educated on safety measures to prevent dangers like gas leaks or spoiled food.