Pathology of the olfactory nerve.
The olfactory system and especially the olfactory bulb (OB) as the first relay in the olfactory system represent highly plastic structures. For example, OB volume partly reflects the degree of afferent neural activity. Research indicates that smell deficits leading to a reduced sensory input result in structural changes at the level of the OB. Reduced OB volumes also may be considered characteristic of parosmia. Apart from discussing the clinical implications of these findings, the radiologic basics for assessment of olfactory-eloquent structures are addressed in detail.
Abolmaali
Nasreddin
N
Radiation Research in Oncology, Technical University of Dresden Medical School, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
Gudziol
Volker
V
Hummel
Thomas
T
D003390:Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009830:Olfactory Bulb / Q000473:pathology; D020431:Olfactory Nerve Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D011859:Radiography