Citation

Wise JB, Moonis G, Mirza N. Ann. Otol. Rhinol. Laryngol. 2006; 115(2): 124-127.

Affiliation

Dept of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 5-Ravdin, 3400 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Annals Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16514795

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Head trauma is a common cause of anosmia, but diagnosis is typically late, owing to more life-threatening sequelae of the injury. Herein, we describe our workup for a case of traumatic anosmia and the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings both at the time of injury and at the 18-month follow-up. METHODS: We present a case report and a review of the literature. RESULTS: A 33-year-old woman presented to our institution with a chief complaint of loss of smell and taste following an occipital blow to her head that occurred when she was hit by a car while riding a bicycle. We present the findings of MRI performed at the time of the injury and at the 18-month follow-up. We describe the clinical progression of her disease, from symptoms of parosmic and phantosmic episodes accompanied by dysgeusia to total anosmia at the 18-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: We advocate the use of MRI, coupled with otolaryngology consultation and formal olfactory testing, in the diagnosis, management, and counseling of patients with anosmia sustained from head injury.

Language: en