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What Causes Inability To Smell And Taste After A Head Injury?

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Posted on Fri, 21 Mar 2014
Twitter Fri, 21 Mar 2014 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 16 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on
Question : Recently met with an accident in which i got severe head injury .I am ok now , but not abl to smell or taste please assist me .You can call me on 0000 /0000.
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Answered by Dr. Sweta Singla (19 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Please get at least a CT Head with bone section Detailed Answer: Inability to smell and taste that probably you have an injury near the nose that might affect the nerve that is carrying smell sensation to the brain. Taste is partly assessed by smell so it might go along with smell sensation. The nerve injury might indicate there might be injury to the cribriform plate in the brain through which the nerve passes and that injury or gap can create abnormal connection between brain and the external environment which might become a risk factor for development of brain infection in future. Therefore my best suggestion is that you need to perform at least a CT scan of the head with bone sections to identify the nature and risks of injury. Treatment can then be planned accordingly. Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Dr. Sweta Singla

Neurologist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 74 Questions

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What Causes Inability To Smell And Taste After A Head Injury?

Brief Answer: Please get at least a CT Head with bone section Detailed Answer: Inability to smell and taste that probably you have an injury near the nose that might affect the nerve that is carrying smell sensation to the brain. Taste is partly assessed by smell so it might go along with smell sensation. The nerve injury might indicate there might be injury to the cribriform plate in the brain through which the nerve passes and that injury or gap can create abnormal connection between brain and the external environment which might become a risk factor for development of brain infection in future. Therefore my best suggestion is that you need to perform at least a CT scan of the head with bone sections to identify the nature and risks of injury. Treatment can then be planned accordingly. Regards