Posttraumatic anosmia secondary to central nervous system injury.

BACKGROUND

The presumed pathogenesis of posttraumatic anosmia is stretching or shearing of the olfactory nerves in a coup-contracoup head contusion. Direct injury to the brain is an alternate mechanism of injury. In this study we report a case where direct injury to the brain is the probable mechanism of injury.

METHODS

A case report was performed.

RESULTS

A 55-year-old man presented with loss of smell beginning 1 month after a closed head injury with loss of consciousness. The MRI showed posttraumatic scarring in the region of the olfactory bulbs.

CONCLUSION

This case suggests that central nervous system injury to the olfactory bulbs and tracts may be a mechanism of posttraumatic anosmia.