Olfactory Palsey

Question 1

What is it

Answer 1

Olfactory palsy is the loss or impairment of the sense of smell (anosmia or hyposmia) due to damage or dysfunction of the olfactory nerve (Cranial Nerve I).

Question 2

Clinical Features

Answer 2

Anosmia (complete loss of smell) or hyposmia (partial loss)
Loss of taste perception (due to smell dysfunction)
Parosmia (distorted sense of smell)
Phantosmia (perceiving odors that aren’t present)

Question 3

Epidemiology

Answer 3

Common but often underreported
Can be temporary (viral infections) or permanent (head trauma, neurodegenerative diseases)

Question 4

Age Groups Affected

Answer 4

All ages can be affected
More common in elderly (neurodegenerative diseases)
Young adults (trauma-related cases)

Question 5

Risk Factors

Answer 5

Head trauma (skull fractures, brain injury)
Viral infections (e.g., COVID-19, influenza)
Neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s)
Nasal obstructions (polyps, chronic sinusitis)
Exposure to toxins (smoking, chemicals)
Tumors (olfactory groove meningioma, frontal lobe tumors)

Question 6

Clinical Presentation

Answer 6

Gradual or sudden loss of smell
Difficulty detecting and distinguishing odors
Loss of appetite or decreased enjoyment of food
Potential safety issues (e.g., inability to smell smoke, gas leaks)

Question 7

Prognosis

Answer 7

• Reversible in some cases (e.g., post-viral anosmia, mild trauma)
• Permanent in severe head trauma, neurodegenerative diseases
• Can affect quality of life (risk of depression, loss of taste enjoyment)
• Some cases improve with olfactory training

Question 8

Test

Answer 8

Smell test - unilateral test

Outcomes - anosmia, parosmia, hyperosmia (migraines)