Olfactory bulb volume in Taiwanese patients with posttraumatic anosmia.
BACKGROUND
Olfactory bulb (OB) volume has been shown to be an indicator of olfactory function. However, few studies have been done in Asia to investigate the influence of different disorders on OB volume.


METHODS
Data from patients with posttraumatic anosmia were collected in our department. Their olfactory thresholds were assessed by the phenyl ethyl alcohol threshold test. They were treated with a course of high-dose steroid, and followed up for at least 3 months without any olfactory improvement. Magnetic resonance imaging was subsequently used to measure patients' OB volumes. Subjects who self-reported their olfactory function was normal were also included in the control group for comparison.


RESULTS
Fifty-four patients with posttraumatic anosmia and 30 subjects who self-reported their olfactory function was normal were enrolled in this study. The mean right OB volume was 45.2 mm3, and the mean left OB volume was 46.3 mm3 in patients with posttraumatic anosmia. The mean right OB volume was 59.7 mm3, and the mean left OB volume was 66.0 mm3 in control subjects. The OB volumes were significantly lower in patients with posttraumatic anosmia.


CONCLUSIONS
OB volumes were significantly lower in Taiwanese patients with posttraumatic anosmia.
Jiang
Rong-San
RS
Department of Otolaryngology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Chai
Jyh-Wen
JW
Chen
Wen-Hsien
WH
Fuh
Wen-Bin
WB
Chiang
Chin-Ming
CM
Chen
Clayton Chi-Chang
CC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D009830:Olfactory Bulb / Q000473:pathology*; D055696:Olfactory Perception; D009929:Organ Size; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013624:Taiwan
D013256:Steroids