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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Loss In Sense Of Smell And Taste After Head Injury?

Hi I had a serious fall down the stairs 6 months ago and had a 2 week stay in hospital- injuries included swelling on the brain, hemorrhages of temporal lobe left and right (ABI), burst left ear drum,3 fractures along side v7 nerve, 2inch break of skull behind left ear ,damaged 5th vertebrae. I have no sense of smell or taste since the accident,hearing loss in left ear,and up to last month had grade 5 paralysis on left side of my face (it is now grade 3 or 4) . I was wondering is my loss of smell and taste due to the hemorrhages? and if so what are my chances of regaining my sense of smell and taste (note-I have a constant pleasant taste but have no reference for it and do not recognize the taste) Thank you Angie
posted on Tue, 17 Mar 2015
Twitter Mon, 6 Apr 2015 Answered on
Twitter Tue, 7 Apr 2015 Last reviewed on
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,
Smell and taste sensations are carried by specific nerves to brain and these sensations are appreciated by specific regions in the brain.
Thus, involvement of these nerves and specific regions in the brain can lead to loos of these sensations.
A neurological assessment is required to know the possible site of injury.
Injury to nerves carrying these sensations to brain can lead to loss of these sensations.
In addition, injury or damage to the area of the brain which responds to these sensations can also cause loss of these sensations.
There is possibility of either of these situations, because you have sustained injury and damage to brain parenchyma (in form of swelling of brain parenchyma) and fractures which can cause compression of nerves.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
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What Causes Loss In Sense Of Smell And Taste After Head Injury?

Hello and welcome to HCM, Smell and taste sensations are carried by specific nerves to brain and these sensations are appreciated by specific regions in the brain. Thus, involvement of these nerves and specific regions in the brain can lead to loos of these sensations. A neurological assessment is required to know the possible site of injury. Injury to nerves carrying these sensations to brain can lead to loss of these sensations. In addition, injury or damage to the area of the brain which responds to these sensations can also cause loss of these sensations. There is possibility of either of these situations, because you have sustained injury and damage to brain parenchyma (in form of swelling of brain parenchyma) and fractures which can cause compression of nerves. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja Puri