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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Anosmia And Taste Disorders After A Brain Surgery?

I just had brain surgery 2 weeks ago and I can t smell or taste anything. Is it possible I will regain these in the near future? My doctors told me the right side was not impacted by the removal of the menagioma (excuse my spelling) which was 100% removed and pathology shows was benign.
Fri, 29 Jul 2016
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Thanks you for asking this question. I have undergone through your question. I understand your concern. Your olfactory system, which provides your sense of smell, consists of receptors in the mucous lining of your nose that send information through nerves into your brain. You can lose your sense of smell if any part of the olfactory pathway is damaged or destroyed. This can happen as a result of traumatic brain surgery. The nerve which carries information from your nose to the olfactory center must pass between the frontal lobes and the bony protrusions from the base of the skull. This unfortunately makes the nerve vulnerable to damage from brain surgery. Anosmia from a brain injury is not usually
considered treatable. The ability of anosmia to improve may depend upon the nature of the brain injury. If the nerves and brain areas are under
compression from bleeding, or are bruised, then sensations may gradually recover as swelling and bleeding subsides. It very difficult to predict when will recover sense of smell.
I hope this information will help you
I wish you a good health
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What Causes Anosmia And Taste Disorders After A Brain Surgery?

Thanks you for asking this question. I have undergone through your question. I understand your concern. Your olfactory system, which provides your sense of smell, consists of receptors in the mucous lining of your nose that send information through nerves into your brain. You can lose your sense of smell if any part of the olfactory pathway is damaged or destroyed. This can happen as a result of traumatic brain surgery. The nerve which carries information from your nose to the olfactory center must pass between the frontal lobes and the bony protrusions from the base of the skull. This unfortunately makes the nerve vulnerable to damage from brain surgery. Anosmia from a brain injury is not usually considered treatable. The ability of anosmia to improve may depend upon the nature of the brain injury. If the nerves and brain areas are under compression from bleeding, or are bruised, then sensations may gradually recover as swelling and bleeding subsides. It very difficult to predict when will recover sense of smell. I hope this information will help you I wish you a good health