Chemosensory Disorders | Odd Smells and Tastes | Smell Disorders
Taste Disorders | Burning Mouth Syndrome | Head Trauma

Head Trauma

Head trauma has long been recognized as a common cause of olfactory dysfunction. Since the first report appeared in 1864, much has been written about this complication. In a survey of 1,000 head trauma victims, an estimated 7.2% suffered some form of olfactory dysfunction following their injury. The cause of the dysosmia was originally believed to be the shearing of olfactory nerve axons, specifically the fila olfactoria at the cribriform plate, which occurs during trauma when the brain is rapidly accelerated against the skull. Pathological changes in the olfactory nerves have been well identified following such injuries.

In 1985, it was demonstrated that a closed-head injury can impair the ability to identify odors without impairing the ability to detect odors. In such cases, the integrity of the olfactory nerve is maintained. In fact, the one study of patients complaining of posttraumatic dysosmia, the peripheral nerves were found intact and free of tears, thus leading to the inference that possibly an abnormality of the frontal lobe or its surrounding structures was responsible for the patients' inability to identify odors that they were, however, able to detect. This same pattern of dysosmia has been identified in patients with such nontraumatic brain conditions as Korsakoff's syndrome, thalamic or prefrontal cortical lesions, senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type, and temporal lobectomy.

At the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, a thorough initial neurological evaluation is performed. Additional diagnostic testing may also need to be performed to define the diagnosis and to help manage and treat those who suffer from these conditions.

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Sensa Weight Loss System & Weight Loss Study: For questions or information regarding the Sensa Weight Loss System please visit www.trysensa.com. Please free free to call us toll free at (866) 514-2554. Foundation & Research Questions: For questions regarding the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation or on the disorders discussed please feel free to write, phone, fax or email us. Please do not call the foundation directly for questions or information on Sensa. To reach the Foundation call: (312) 938-1047  e-mail address: dr.hirsch@core.com Postal address (Foundation only) Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, Ltd.  845 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 990W    Chicago, IL.  60611