Severe chemotherapy-induced parosmia.
BACKGROUND
Smell and taste disorders are among the side effects of chemo- and radiotherapy. Although direct radionecrosis of the salivary glands and the taste buds might explain the chemosensory problems after radiotherapy, the olfactory and gustatory complaints seen after chemotherapy remain unexplained. The patients reporting olfactory symptoms rarely complain about qualitative olfactory disorders such as parosmia or phantosmia. Quantitative olfactory loss such as anosmia and hyposmia seem to be more frequent.


METHODS
We present the case of a 63-year-old woman with chemotherapy-induced parosmia leading to severe nutrition and appetite problems resulting in a life-threatening weight loss.


RESULTS
With the aid of a simple nose clip the parosmia could be abolished and oral food intake became possible again. Parosmia resolved gradually over an observation period of 9 months, in parallel to an increase of olfactory sensitivity. The patient progressively gained appetite and weight.


CONCLUSIONS
Parosmia can occur as a severe and potentially life-threatening complication of chemotherapy. This rare presentation of parosmia illustrates the importance of olfactory testing with an adequate recognition of the underlying problem and a consecutive treatment.
Müller
Antje
A
Smell and Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Dresden Medical School, Dresden, Germany. antje.mueller@uniklinikum-dresden.de
Landis
Basile N
BN
Platzbecker
Uwe
U
Holthoff
Vjera
V
Frasnelli
Johannes
J
Hummel
Thomas
T
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D015452:Precursor B-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015431:Weight Loss