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