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The impact and prospect of traumatic brain injury on olfactory function: a cross-sectional and prospective study

  • Rhinology
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Abstract

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.

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Conflict of interest

The authors indicate no competing interests. This research receives no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Smell and Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Dresden Medical School, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany

    Volker Gudziol, Irene Hoenck & Thomas Hummel

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, University of Dresden Medical School, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany

    Dino Podlesek

  3. Department of Neurology, Klinik Bavaria, Saidaer Strasse 1, 01731, Kreischa, Germany

    Maria Bayn

  4. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Geneva Neuroscience Center (CMU), University of Geneva Hospitals, University of Geneva Medical School, Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, 1211, Geneva 14, Switzerland

    Basile Landis

Authors
  1. Volker Gudziol
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  2. Irene Hoenck
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  3. Basile Landis
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  4. Dino Podlesek
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  5. Maria Bayn
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  6. Thomas Hummel
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Correspondence to Volker Gudziol.

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Gudziol, V., Hoenck, I., Landis, B. et al. The impact and prospect of traumatic brain injury on olfactory function: a cross-sectional and prospective study. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 271, 1533–1540 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-013-2687-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-013-2687-6

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