New research suggests that a treatment based on Thrombocyte-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections has shown significant results in restoring the sense of smell lost due to head trauma. The study offers hope to patients who have been suffering from this problem for years.
The research, published in the journal Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, examined 33 patients who had lost their sense of smell following a head injury. PRP therapy involves using the patient’s own blood plasma, which is rich in growth factors—proteins that promote repair, accelerate healing, and stimulate nerve tissue regeneration. The plasma is injected into the olfactory cleft—the superior part of the nasal cavity where the smell-detecting receptors are located.
As a result of the treatment, two-thirds of the patients reported a subjective improvement in the restoration of their sense of smell after a single injection. The improvement was also objectively confirmed using psychophysical tests, surpassing the results achieved solely through olfactory training.
On average, patients felt the first results 5.4 weeks after the treatment. Notably, the study participants had, on average, lost their sense of smell for almost five years, indicating that the treatment may be effective even in long-standing cases.
Loss of smell after a head injury is a relatively common problem. This condition seriously impacts both quality of life and safety. This new method has offered a potentially effective treatment option in this area.
The researchers note that, although the results are preliminary and based on a small group, larger-scale studies are needed to confirm these findings.
