Magnetic Resonance Imaging Confirmed Olfactory Bulb Reduction in Long COVID-19: Literature Review and Case Series
An altered sense of smell and taste was recognized as one of the most characteristic symptoms of coronavirus infection disease (COVID-19). Despite most patients experiencing a complete functional resolution, there is a 21.3% prevalence of persistent alteration at 12 months after infection. To date,...
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MDPI AG
2022-03-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/12/4/430 |
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| author | Andrea Frosolini Daniela Parrino Cristoforo Fabbris Francesco Fantin Ingrid Inches Sara Invitto Giacomo Spinato Cosimo De Filippis |
| author_facet | Andrea Frosolini Daniela Parrino Cristoforo Fabbris Francesco Fantin Ingrid Inches Sara Invitto Giacomo Spinato Cosimo De Filippis |
| author_sort | Andrea Frosolini |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | An altered sense of smell and taste was recognized as one of the most characteristic symptoms of coronavirus infection disease (COVID-19). Despite most patients experiencing a complete functional resolution, there is a 21.3% prevalence of persistent alteration at 12 months after infection. To date, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in these patients have been variable and not clearly defined. We aimed to clarify radiological alterations of olfactory pathways in patients with long COVID-19 characterized by olfactory dysfunction. A comprehensive review of the English literature was performed by analyzing relevant papers about this topic. A case series was presented: all patients underwent complete otorhinolaryngology evaluation including the Sniffin’ Sticks battery test. A previous diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed by positive swabs. The MRIs were acquired using a 3.0T MR scanner with a standardized protocol for olfactory tract analysis. Images were first analysed by a dedicated neuroradiologist and subsequently reviewed and compared with the previous available MRIs. The review of the literature retrieved 25 studies; most cases of olfactory dysfunction more than 3 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection showed olfactory bulb (OB) reduction. Patients in the personal case series had asymmetry and a reduction in the volume of the OB. This evidence was strengthened by the comparison with a previous MRI, where the OBs were normal. The results preliminarily confirmed OB reduction in cases of long COVID-19 with an altered sense of smell. Further studies are needed to clarify the epidemiology, pathophysiology and prognosis. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:05:30Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c6acb3fa3e1f4dde8bd76016e58e5dcf |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3425 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:05:30Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Brain Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-c6acb3fa3e1f4dde8bd76016e58e5dcf2023-12-01T00:58:58ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252022-03-0112443010.3390/brainsci12040430Magnetic Resonance Imaging Confirmed Olfactory Bulb Reduction in Long COVID-19: Literature Review and Case SeriesAndrea Frosolini0Daniela Parrino1Cristoforo Fabbris2Francesco Fantin3Ingrid Inches4Sara Invitto5Giacomo Spinato6Cosimo De Filippis7Department of Neuroscience DNS, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, ItalyDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, ASST Sette Laghi, Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, 21100 Varese, ItalyOtolaryngology Unit, Treviso Hospital, 31100 Treviso, ItalyDepartment of Neuroscience DNS, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, ItalyNeuroradiology Unit, Treviso Hospital, 31100 Treviso, ItalyINSPIRE Lab, Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technologies, DiSTeBA, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, ItalyDepartment of Neuroscience DNS, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, ItalyDepartment of Neuroscience DNS, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, ItalyAn altered sense of smell and taste was recognized as one of the most characteristic symptoms of coronavirus infection disease (COVID-19). Despite most patients experiencing a complete functional resolution, there is a 21.3% prevalence of persistent alteration at 12 months after infection. To date, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in these patients have been variable and not clearly defined. We aimed to clarify radiological alterations of olfactory pathways in patients with long COVID-19 characterized by olfactory dysfunction. A comprehensive review of the English literature was performed by analyzing relevant papers about this topic. A case series was presented: all patients underwent complete otorhinolaryngology evaluation including the Sniffin’ Sticks battery test. A previous diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed by positive swabs. The MRIs were acquired using a 3.0T MR scanner with a standardized protocol for olfactory tract analysis. Images were first analysed by a dedicated neuroradiologist and subsequently reviewed and compared with the previous available MRIs. The review of the literature retrieved 25 studies; most cases of olfactory dysfunction more than 3 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection showed olfactory bulb (OB) reduction. Patients in the personal case series had asymmetry and a reduction in the volume of the OB. This evidence was strengthened by the comparison with a previous MRI, where the OBs were normal. The results preliminarily confirmed OB reduction in cases of long COVID-19 with an altered sense of smell. Further studies are needed to clarify the epidemiology, pathophysiology and prognosis.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/12/4/430olfactory perceptionmethodology for olfactory scienceclinical aspects of olfactionanosmiamagnetic resonance imagingolfactory bulb |
| spellingShingle | Andrea Frosolini Daniela Parrino Cristoforo Fabbris Francesco Fantin Ingrid Inches Sara Invitto Giacomo Spinato Cosimo De Filippis Magnetic Resonance Imaging Confirmed Olfactory Bulb Reduction in Long COVID-19: Literature Review and Case Series Brain Sciences olfactory perception methodology for olfactory science clinical aspects of olfaction anosmia magnetic resonance imaging olfactory bulb |
| title | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Confirmed Olfactory Bulb Reduction in Long COVID-19: Literature Review and Case Series |
| title_full | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Confirmed Olfactory Bulb Reduction in Long COVID-19: Literature Review and Case Series |
| title_fullStr | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Confirmed Olfactory Bulb Reduction in Long COVID-19: Literature Review and Case Series |
| title_full_unstemmed | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Confirmed Olfactory Bulb Reduction in Long COVID-19: Literature Review and Case Series |
| title_short | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Confirmed Olfactory Bulb Reduction in Long COVID-19: Literature Review and Case Series |
| title_sort | magnetic resonance imaging confirmed olfactory bulb reduction in long covid 19 literature review and case series |
| topic | olfactory perception methodology for olfactory science clinical aspects of olfaction anosmia magnetic resonance imaging olfactory bulb |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/12/4/430 |
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