title: Phantom rhinitis.
abstract: Sensitivity to strong odors has a broad differential diagnosis. A presentation is made of a 60-year-old man with lifelong mild allergic rhinitis and a superimposed 4-year history of sensitivity to smells. He had no response to medical treatments or allergic immunotherapy. His physical examination was unremarkable. After obtaining a detailed history, a definitive imaging study was performed and the patient underwent corrective treatment for his potentially life-threatening disorder. A detailed differential and strong clinical history is sometimes required to uncover the etiology of non-allergic rhinitis. Overwhelming sensations of strong odors may be a sign of a more serious condition and require investigation. This presentation discusses the differential diagnosis and suggested evaluation for patients with abnormalities in olfaction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Allergy and Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. mylesi@niaid.nih.gov
authors.forename: Ian A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Myles
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004351:Drug Resistance; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020768:Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones