Correlation of olfactory function with changes in the volume of the human olfactory bulb.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate changes of olfactory bulb (OB) volume over time in relation to olfactory function.


METHODS
Prospective, before-after trial.


METHODS
Outpatient clinic of a university clinic for otorhinolaryngology.


METHODS
A total of 20 patients with olfactory loss participated in the study. The duration of olfactory deficits ranged from 3 months to 6 years.


METHODS
Olfactory function was assessed for phenyl ethyl alcohol odor threshold, odor discrimination, and odor identification. Olfactory bulb volume was determined using magnetic resonance imaging.


RESULTS
In initially hyposmic patients (n = 13), changes in OB volume were found to correlate with odor threshold changes (r = 0.82; P = .001); no such correlation was found for odor discrimination or odor identification.


CONCLUSIONS
As demonstrated in a longitudinal study for the first time to our knowledge, the human OB is a highly plastic structure that responds to individual changes in olfactory status.
Department of Neurology, University of Dresden Medical School, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
Antje
A
Haehner
Antje
A
Rodewald
Johannes C
JC
Gerber
Thomas
T
Hummel
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D009830:Olfactory Bulb / Q000473:pathology*; D009929:Organ Size; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology*