Results
All patients were classified as anosmic on the olfactory function test
(Figure 2). Chemical and electro-gustatory test results indicated
normogeusia.
MRI revealed no gross abnormalities in the brain parenchyma and a normal
appearance of the pituitary gland, but the olfactory bulb could not be
visualized bilaterally in 5 patients. Shallow olfactory sulci were
observed in 4 patients and this suggested congenital agenesis of the
olfactory bulb (Figure 3A). Relatively deep olfactory sulci were
observed in 1 patient and it suggested early traumatic olfactory
disorder (Figure 3B).
On functional MRI, 5 male patients showed no significant activation in
primary olfactory cortex in both CIT and BME session. And no OERPs were
recorded during their exam (Figure 4A). The one female patient showed
mild activation in CIT session, but OERPs were not recorded (Figure 4B).
Follicle-stimulating hormone levels were within normal limits in 6
patients, as were luteinizing hormone levels, and testosterone levels.
We therefore concluded that the patients’ anosmia was not associated
with other structural and hormonal abnormalities such as Kallmann
syndrome.
Four patients were confirmed as isolated congenital anosmia. And the
olfactory sulci were relatively deep in MRI scan, so one male patient
could not absolutely rule out early traumatic anosmia. One female
patient seemed to be acquired anosmia.