phenylephrine-hydrochloride and Brain-Contusion

Impairment of smell may occur following injury to any portion of the olfactory tract, from nasal cavity to brain. A thorough understanding of the anatomy and pathophysiology combined with comprehensively obtained history, physical exam, olfactory testing, and neuroimaging may help to identify the mechanism of dysfunction and suggest possible treatments. Although most olfactory deficits are neuronal mediated and therefore currently unable to be corrected, promising technology may provide novel treatment options for those most affected. Until that day, patient counseling with compensatory strategies and reassurance is essential for the maintenance of safety and QoL in this unique and challenging patient population.

Topics: Activities of Daily Living; Brain Contusion; Brain Injuries, Traumatic; Cerebral Cortex; Facial Bones; Facial Injuries; Fractures, Bone; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Nose; Olfaction Disorders; Olfactory Nerve Injuries; Paranasal Sinuses; Positron-Emission Tomography; Quality of Life; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon