Evaluation of the olfactory bulb volume and morphology in patients with coronavirus disease 2019: can differences create predisposition to anosmia?

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate whether the volume and morphology of the olfactory bulb are effective in the occurrence of anosmia in patients after COVID-19 infection. METHODS: The olfactory bulbus volume was calculated by examining the brain magnetic resonance imaging of cases with positive (+) COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction test with and without anosmia. Evaluated magnetic resonance imaging images were the scans of patients before they were infected with COVID-19. The olfactory bulbus and olfactory nerve morphology of these patients were examined. The brain magnetic resonance imaging of 59 patients with anosmia and 64 controls without anosmia was evaluated. The olfactory bulb volumes of both groups were calculated. The olfactory bulb morphology and olfactory nerve types were examined and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The left and right olfactory bulb volumes were calculated for the anosmia group and control group as 47.8±15/49.3±14.3 and 50.5±9.9/50.9±9.6, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. When the olfactory bulb morphology was compared between the two groups, it was observed that types D and R were dominant in the anosmia group (p<0.05). Concerning olfactory nerve morphology, type N was significantly more common in the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, the olfactory bulb volume does not affect the development of anosmia after COVID-19. However, it is striking that the bulb morphology significantly differs between the patients with and without anosmia. It is clear that the evaluation of COVID-19-associated smell disorders requires studies with a larger number of patients and a clinicoradiological approach.

Evaluation of taste and smell disorders in pediatric COVID-19 Cases

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Pediatric coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases have a high risk of contagiousness, as they usually progress with asymptomatic or mild respiratory symptoms. Disorder in taste and/or smell has rarely been reported in pediatric cases. In our study, early diagnosis and isolation measures were emphasized by evaluating the clinical, laboratory, and radiological imaging findings of pediatric COVID-19 cases presenting with symptoms of taste and/or smell disorder. METHODS: Seven cases aged 0-18 years were included in the study. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 polymerase chain reaction test was performed for the seven cases presented with taste and/or smell disorders. Clinical findings, laboratory tests, and radiological imaging of all the cases were evaluated on the day of admission and on the fifth day. RESULTS: Seven (5.7%) of 122 pediatric COVID-19 cases had disorder in taste and/or smell. In two cases, pneumonia findings were detected in thorax computed tomography imaging. It was observed that all the patients fully recovered at the latest on the 21st day. In the cranial diffusion magnetic resonance imaging of a case, diffusion restriction was detected in the corpus callosum splenium. CONCLUSION: Although less common than adults, children with COVID-19 may also have taste and smell disorders, and this may be accompanied by central nervous system imaging findings.

Anosmia congénita aislada: reporte de un caso clínico / Isolated congenital anosmia: a case report

RESUMEN Los trastornos del olfato son frecuentes, aunque la anosmia e hiposmia son síntomas poco referidos, suelen afectar de forma importante la calidad de vida de los pacientes. Las causas de anosmia pueden ser adquiridas o congénitas, y la prevalencia de anosmia congénita aislada en la población general se estima en 1:10.000. En estos casos, la anosmia es el único síntoma referido por el paciente. Se presenta el caso de un paciente de sexo masculino de 23 años, sin antecedentes mórbidos de importancia, diagnosticado con anosmia congénita aislada. La historia y evaluación clínica, evaluación neuroendocrinológica, y el uso de la resonancia magnética de cerebro permitió establecer el diagnóstico final.

ABSTRACT Disorders of olfaction are common, however, anosmia and hyposmia are not frequently self-reported, and these symptoms can lead to a significant impairment in quality of life. Causes of anosmia can be acquired or congenital, and the prevalence of isolated congenital anosmia is estimated to be 1:10000 in the general population. In these cases, anosmia is the only symptom referred by the patient. We hereby present the case of a 23-year-old male patient, with no prior medical history, diagnosed with isolated congenital anosmia. The findings from the medical history and physical examination, neuroendocrine evaluation, and the use of magnetic resonance imaging of the brain helped reach a final diagnosis.