Spectrum of Clinical and Associated MR Imaging Findings in Children with Olfactory Anomalies

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:The olfactory apparatus, consisting of the bulb and tract, is readily identifiable on MR imaging. Anomalous development of the olfactory apparatus may be the harbinger of anomalies of the secondary olfactory cortex and associated structures. We report a large single-site series of associated MR imaging findings in patients with olfactory anomalies.

What's that smell? A pictorial review of the olfactory pathways and imaging assessment of the myriad pathologies that can affect them

“…Congenital anosmia can be associated disorders of the paramedian structures (including corpus callosal dysgenesis, hypothalamic and pituitary problems, lobar holoprosencephaly, and septo-optic dysplasia), as well as migrational abnormalities (polymicrogyria, pachygyria, and grey matter heterotopia) ( Fig. 1) [29]. CHARGE syndrome (Coloboma, Heart defects, Atresia of the choanae, Retardation of growth, Genital and/or urinary abnormalities, Ear anomalies and/or deafness) is associated with both congenital anosmia, as well as olfactory problems arising from choanal atresia [29].…”

MR Imaging–Based Evaluations of Olfactory Bulb Atrophy in Patients with Olfactory Dysfunction

“…Atrophy of the OB was diagnosed on the basis of the following findings: flattening and thinning of the olfactory bulb with loss of the normal oval or J-shape of the OB, 17 and an asymmetric decrease in the size of the OB compared with the OB on the contralateral side (Fig 1). 18 Neuropathy was defined as neuromalacia of the OB, with focal or diffuse high signal intensity in the OB and increased signal compared with the signal intensity of the adjacent frontal white matter with/without decreased volume on 3D-FLAIR or coronal T2-weighted images (Fig 2). 10…”

Anosmia congénita aislada: Reporte de un caso clínico

“…Se considera importante evaluar la totalidad del encéfalo para tener una visualización completa de la vía olfatoria, y potenciales anomalías asociadas. La corteza olfatoria comprende al núcleo olfatorio anterior, el tubérculo olfatorio, la corteza piriforme, la corteza entorrinal y el tronco encéfalo, así como la amígdala, el hipocampo y el giro parahipocampal 11 . La profundidad del surco olfatorio se puede utilizar como marcador de alteraciones del desarrollo con hipoplasia/aplasia de la vía olfatoria.…”