Assessment of factors influencing the olfactory bulb volume in patients with post-viral olfactory dysfunction

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the factors influencing the volume of the olfactory bulb (OB) in patients with post-viral olfactory dysfunction (PVOD).

Methods: We collected 92 olfactory bulb volumes from patients with PVOD who underwent a sinus computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the head and collected clinical information including gender, age, disease course, minimal cross-sectional area, nasal airway resistance, and olfactory function. OB volume was measured in MRI and the scans were evaluated according to the Lund-Mackay (LM) scoring system.

Results: Male patients with PVOD had a larger OB volume (β = 0.284, P < 0.05). OB volume was smaller in patients with a longer course of olfactory dysfunction (β = - 0.254, P < 0.05). According to the LM scoring system, patients with a higher anterior ethmoidal sinus score had smaller OB volume (β = - 0.476, P < 0.05).

Conclusions: The study revealed that gender, disease course, and the score of anterior ethmoidal sinusitis can affect the OB volume in patients with PVOD.

Keywords: Lund-Mackay scoring system; MRI; Olfactory bulb volume; Post-viral olfactory dysfunction.