Phantosmia

What it means

Perception of an odor in the absence of any stimuli in the surrounding environment that could emit the odor.

Phantosmia has been documented in individuals with epileptic seizures, schizophrenia, depression, migraine, and otorhinolaryngology problems. Phantosmia occurs in a variety of clinical conditions, and its causes are yet unknown. Prior accounts have suggested that the phantosmic sensations originate either in the peripheral olfactory nervous system or in central brain regions, such as the amygdala and the orbital frontal cortex. Patients who experienced phantosmia following head trauma were characterized by left frontal atrophy, suggestive of a cortical origin. However, a patient study reported successfully resolving phantosmia in 7 out of 8 patients through excision of the olfactory epithelium, suggesting also peripheral olfactory system involvement.

Part of the broader category

Also called: Phantom odor · Phantom odour · Phantom smell