Olfactory bulb agenesis with normal sexual hormones.

An 18-year-old Caucasian man presented with a lack of sense of surrounding smell. The problem was first noticed when a family member discussed the smell of the food, which he had no idea what it was. The patient had normal development and sexual function, no history of trauma, surgery, chemical exposure or infection. Physical examination revealed no significant abnormalities. Smell threshold test using phenyl-ethyl-alcohol revealed bilateral anosmia. MRI showed bilateral aplastic olfactory bulbs and tracts associated with absent cortical growth of the olfactory sulci and asymmetrical gyrus rectus. Circulating hormones including cortisol, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor 1, adrenocorticotropic hormone, thyroid hormones, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin and testosterone were within normal ranges. Doppler ultrasound showed normal testis with bilateral supratesticular varicoceles. Given the loss of warning smell sensation, counselling for daily living precautions especially those related to gas, fire and rotten food was given. © BMJ Publishing Group Ltd (unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.