The impact and prospect of traumatic brain injury on olfactory function: a cross-sectional and prospective study.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause olfactory loss. The aim of this cross-sectional and prospective study was to determine the prevalence of olfactory loss among 110 patients with TBI within 3 months after the trauma. In 81 patients ("cross-sectional"-group), olfactory function could be measured using the validated "Sniffin' Sticks" test for odor threshold and odor identification. In addition, the prospective change of olfactory function was studied in 36 patients ("follow-up"-group) by means of a validated odor threshold, discrimination and identification test. Olfactory function was significantly better in patients with TBI I° compared to individuals with TBI II° and III°. Clinically significant improvement of olfactory function was found in 36% of the patients, most frequently during the first 6 months after the injury, in a median follow-up interval of 21 months. TBI I° has in general no major effect on olfaction. In contrast, patients with TBI II° and III° exhibit smell loss in 57%. Chances for olfactory recovery were highest within the first 6 months after the trauma.
Smell and Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Dresden Medical School, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany, volker.gudziol@uniklinikum-dresden.de.
Volker
V
Gudziol
Irene
I
Hoenck
Basile
B
Landis
Dino
D
Podlesek
Maria
M
Bayn
Thomas
T
Hummel
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012903:Smell; D055815:Young Adult