13.09.26 Parosmia

Definition

    • Olfactory dysfunction that is characterized by the inability of the brain to properly identify an odour’s “natural” smell

  • Natural odour is transcribed into what is most often described as an unpleasant aroma, typically a “‘burned,’ ‘rotting,’ ‘faecal,’ or ‘chemical’ smell

  • There are instances, however, of pleasant odours (calledeuosmia)

Cause

  • Damage to olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs)

    • Post-URTI

    • Exposure to harmful solvents

    • Central problem

      • Head trauma

      • Temporal lobe epilepsy (transient)

      • Parkinson's

Management

  • Symptoms usually decrease with time

  • Some evidence for L-Dopa

    • Induce anosmia or hyposmia to the point where the odours are negligible