Phantom Rhinitis

Sensitivity to strong odors has a broad differential diagnosis. A presentation is made of a 60-year-old man with lifelong mild allergic rhinitis and a superimposed 4-year history of sensitivity to smells. He had no response to medical treatments or allergic immunotherapy. His physical examination was unremarkable. After obtaining a detailed history, a definitive imaging study was performed and the patient underwent corrective treatment for his potentially life-threatening disorder. A detailed differential and strong clinical history is sometimes required to uncover the etiology of Received: October 14, 2009 Accepted after revision: February 1, 2010 Published online: June 18, 2010 Correspondence to: Dr. Ian A. Myles Department of Allergy and Immunology National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health 10/B3-4209, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892 (USA) Tel. +1 301 496 7196, Fax +1 301 480 5560, E-Mail mylesi @ niaid.nih.gov © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel Accessible online at: www.karger.com/iaa Established Facts • Abnormalities in olfaction can be common in patients with both allergic and non-allergic rhinitis.