bilateral anosmia

Last reviewed 06/2023

Bilateral anosmia is more common than unilateral, and has more diverse causes - a variety of conditions can lead to complete loss of the sense of smell.

Possible causes of bilateral anosmia include:

  • upper respiratory tract infection
  • meningioma of the olfactory groove - a late manifestation
  • ethmoid tumours
  • head injury - including cribriform plate fracture
  • meningitis
  • hydrocephalus
  • frontal lobe tumour
  • Kallman's syndrome
  • conductive problems - enlarged turbinates, nasal polyps