Magnetic resonance imaging findings in the evaluation of traumatic anosmia

Objectives:Head trauma is a common cause of anosmia, but diagnosis is typically late, owing to more life-threatening sequelae of the injury. Herein, we describe our workup for a case of traumatic anosmia and the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings both at the time of injury and at the 18-month follow-up.Methods:We present a case report and a review of the literature.Results:A 33-year-old woman presented to our institution with a chief complaint of loss of smell and taste following an occipital blow to her head that occurred when she was hit by a car while riding a bicycle. We present the findings of MRI performed at the time of the injury and at the 18-month follow-up. We describe the clinical progression of her disease, from symptoms of parosmic and phantosmic episodes accompanied by dysgeusia to total anosmia at the 18-month follow-up.Conclusions:We advocate the use of MRI, coupled with otolaryngology consultation and formal olfactory testing, in the diagnosis, management, and counseling of patien...