Hypothesis
If a patient complains of anosmia following an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), reassurance with no further treatment is appropriate.
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PRO
Given the temporal relationship of the onset of anosmia with upper respiratory illness and without any symptoms or findings to suggest otherwise, the patient can be assured that the anosmia is related to the URTI and nothing more serious exists. No further workup is necessary, saving the inconvenience and cost of such tests and studies.
CON
The onset of sudden anosmia may be coincidental to a URTI. A false sense of security is then developed, avoiding further studies that may lead to the appropriate diagnosis of the cause of the anosmia and hence its early treatment.
BOTTOM LINE
Unless other findings are discovered at the time of presentation, anosmia temporally associated with a viral URTI requires only a thorough otolaryngologic evaluation including a neurologic assessment. Further evaluation is not . . . [Full Text of this Article]
COMMENT
SUMMARY
