Neuropediatrics 2015; 46 - WS07-02
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1550754

Olfactory Function in Head Trauma Patients a Link to Frontal Brain Damage?

V. Schriever 1, T. Hummel 2, K. Grosser 3, M. Smitka 1
  • 1Neuropädiatrie, Dresden, Germany
  • 2Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Smell and Taste Clinic, Dresden, Germany
  • 3Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erfurt, Germany

Aims: In the recent years, the olfactory system gained more attention because of its unique characteristics of continuous regeneration and neurogenesis in adults. This is necessary for maintaining an intact olfactory function throughout life. Nevertheless, several diseases with olfactory dysfunction have been identified. Especially head trauma has shown to be linked to olfactory impairment. This is of interest because it is believed that measurement of olfactory function after head trauma represents a sensitive tool for measuring frontal brain damage. Most of the studies regarding this topic were conducted in adults. The aim of this study, therefore, is to evaluate the effect of mild head trauma in children on olfactory function over a time period of up to 1 year after head trauma.

Methods: A total of 144 children aged 4 to 17 years (mean, 8.7 years; SD, 3.5), who suffered mild head trauma according to the Glasgow Coma Scale were included. Olfactory function was assessed three times over a time period of 1 year in these children.

For comparison, a group of age- and sex-matched healthy children were included as a control group.

Results: Olfactory function in patients was significant lower compared with the control group. This was true for measurements of olfactory threshold (t = 2.32, p = 0.02). Although lower compared with controls, olfactory function in patients was still within the normal range. Regarding olfactory suprathreshold testing, no difference between the two groups could be found (t = 0.20, p = 0.84). Olfactory test scores did not change significantly over the time period of 1 year in head trauma patients (F = 0.93, p = 0.40). No increase of olfactory function after trauma was observed.

Conclusion: This study proves an impact of even mild head trauma on olfactory function in children. On the basis of our results, it seems unlikely that children who suffered mild head trauma will become severely hyposmic or anosmic. Nevertheless, a reduced sense of smell was observed. The clinical relevance of these findings and the diagnostic potential will be discussed.

Keywords: head trauma, olfaction.