J Oral Med Pain.  2023 Dec;48(4):181-185. 10.14476/jomp.2023.48.4.181.

Traumatic Brain Injury-Induced Mixed Chemosensory Disorder: a Case Study on Taste and Smell Dysfunction

• Im YG
• Kim SK
• Sung CM
• Kim JH

• KMID: 2552118
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14476/jomp.2023.48.4.181

Abstract

We present a case report of a 52-year-old male patient who suffered head trauma in a car accident and subsequently experienced taste and smell disorders. Following the accident, the patient reported difficulty detecting salty and sour tastes and diminished olfactory perception. Neurosurgical evaluation revealed subarachnoid and subdural hemorrhages, while otolaryngology investigations revealed hyposmia—a decreased sense of smell. Upon referral to the Department of Oral Medicine, a comprehensive assessment revealed a general bilateral reduction in taste sensation, particularly ageusia for salty taste. Electric taste-detection thresholds significantly exceeded the normal ranges. Integrating our findings from neurosurgery, otolaryngology, and oral medicine resulted in a diagnosis of mixed chemosensory disorder attributed to head trauma. This case highlights the intricate interplay of alterations in taste and smell following head injury, emphasizing the significance of multidisciplinary evaluations in diagnosing mixed chemosensory disorders resulting from traumatic brain injury.

Keyword

Olfaction disorders; Smell; Taste; Taste disorders; Traumatic brain injury