Loss of olfactory function after exposure to barbituric acid

• Verfasst von: Heiser, Clemens [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Grupp, Kathrin Frauke [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Hörmann, Karl [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Stuck, Boris [VerfasserIn]
• Titel: Loss of olfactory function after exposure to barbituric acid
• Verf.angabe: C. Heiser, K. Grupp, K. Hörmann, B.A. Stuck (Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim)
• E-Jahr: 2010
• Jahr: [February 2010]
• Umfang: 3 S.
• Illustrationen: Diagramme
• Fussnoten: Available online 6 May 2009 ; Gesehen am 11.04.2023
• Titel Quelle: Enthalten in: Auris, nasus, larynx
• Ort Quelle: Amsterdam [u.a.] : Elsevier Science, 1974
• Jahr Quelle: 2010
• Band/Heft Quelle: 37(2010), 1 vom: Feb., Seite 103-105
• ISSN Quelle: 1879-1476
• DOI: doi:10.1016/j.anl.2009.03.011
• Datenträger: Online-Ressource
• Sprache: eng
• Sach-SW: Anosmia
• Sach-SW: Barbituric acid
• Sach-SW: Olfactory dysfunction
• K10plus-PPN: 1842031317

Abstract

In this case report a patient with anosmia due to occupational exposure to barbituric acid will be presented. Occupational exposure to high concentrations of barbituric acid resulted in bloody nasal secretion and nasal itching with immediate onset following exposure. After several days of exposure, a progressive loss of smell resulted in anosmia. Psychophysical and electrophysiological assessment of olfactory function with the “Sniffiń Sticks” test and event-related potentials based on air dilution olfactometry confirmed the patients’ reports. After 2 years no recovery is remarked. Toxic anosmia has repeatedly been described due to exposure to chemicals, although barbituric acid has not been reported to be the cause of anosmia to date. Awareness of clinicians to toxic anosmia and the report of those cases appear to be mandatory to reduce occupational risks.