Olfactory hallucinations as a manifestation of hidden rhinosinusitis

Abstract The exact anatomical origin of olfactory epileptic seizures is controversial. Partial seizures can be an uncommon manifestation of brain tumours involving the medial temporal lobe and the orbitofrontal structures or as a marker of mesial temporal sclerosis. We present a patient suffering from olfactory hallucinations associated with inflammatory tissue in the anterior ethmoidal cells, in the right fronto-ethmoidal recess and in the maxillary sinus. Our report supports the opinion that the involvement of the olfactory bulb is crucial for developing so-called uncinate fits and is independent of other causes.