Olfactory disorders

Olfactory disorders are challenging for primary care physicians as well as otolaryngologists, as they are associated with a major decline in quality of life. Obtaining an accurate and detailed history and performing a comprehensive head and neck examination aids in identifying the underlying etiology. There are two main categories of olfactory disorders: conductive and sensorineural. Though there are limited treatment options for these disorders, intervention to be considered depend on the cause. This review will include a brief introduction on the anatomy and physiology of olfaction followed by a discussion of the major categories of olfactory disorders, and lastly a summary of treatment options.