Changes in olfactory bulbus volume and olfactory sulcus depth in the chronic period after COVID-19 infection

Abstract

Background

Although there are a limited number of studies investigating the changes in olfactory bulb volume (OBV) and olfactory sulcus depth (OSD) values in the acute and subacute periods after COVID-19 infection, there are no studies conducted in the chronic period.

Purpose

The aim of this study is to reveal the changes in OBV and OSD after COVID-19 in the chronic period.

Material and methods

A total of 83 people were included in our study, including 42 normal healthy individuals (control group) and 41 patients with COVID-19 infection (10–12 months after infection).

Results

The COVID-19 group included 41 patients with the mean age 40.27 ± 14.5 years and the control group included 42 individuals with the mean age 40.27 ± 14.4. The mean OBV was 67.97 ± 14.27 mm³ in the COVID-19 group and 94.21 ± 7.56 mm³ in the control group. The mean OSD was 7.98 ± 0.37 mm in the COVID-19 group and 8.82 ± 0.74 mm in the control group. Left, right, and mean OBVs and OSD were significantly lower in patients with COVID- 19 than the control individuals (all p < .05).

Conclusion

Our findings show that COVID-19 infection causes a significant decrease in the OBV and OSD measurements in the chronic period.

Chinese abstract

背景：虽然调查COVID-19 感染后急性期和亚急性期的嗅球体积 (OBV) 和嗅沟深度 (OSD) 变化的研究数量有限, 但是还没有对慢性期进行的研究。

目的：本研究的目的是揭示COVID-19 感染后的慢性期OBV 和 OSD 的变化。

材料与方法：本研究共纳入 83 人, 其中正常健康者 42 人（对照组）和 41 名 COVID-19 感染患者（感染后 10-12 个月）。

结果：COVID-19 组包括 41 名患者, 平均年龄为 40.27 ± 14.5 岁；对照组 42 人, 平均年龄为 40.27 ± 14.4 岁。平均 OBV , COVID-19 组为 67.97 ± 14.27 mm³, 对照组为 94.21 ± 7.56 mm³。平均 OSD, COVID-19 组为 7.98 ± 0.37 mm, 对照组为 8.82 ± 0.74 mm。左、右及平均 OBV 和 OSD , COVID-19 患者显著低于对照组（ 皆p < .05）。

结论：我们的研究结果表明 COVID-19 感染导致慢性期 OBV 和 OSD 的减少。

Keywords:

• COVID-19
• olfactory bulbus volume
• olfactory sulcus depth
• 3 Tesla MRI

Consent to participate

Written consent was obtained from each case participating in the study.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Data availability statement

Our data are transparent, reliable, and reusable.