Anosmia in COVID-19 Associated with Injury to the Olfactory Bulbs Evident on MRI
M.F.V.V. Aragão, Mariana de Carvalho Leal Gouveia, O.Q. Cartaxo Filho, Tatiana Fonseca, Marcelo Moraes Valênça
Abstract
<h3>SUMMARY:</h3> Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may have symptoms of anosmia or partial loss of the sense of smell, often accompanied by changes in taste. We report 5 cases (3 with anosmia) of adult patients with COVID-19 in whom injury to the olfactory bulbs was interpreted as microbleeding or abnormal enhancement on MR imaging. The patients had persistent headache (<i>n</i> = 4) or motor deficits (<i>n</i> = 1). This olfactory bulb injury may be the mechanism by which the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 causes olfactory dysfunction.
Topics & Concepts
AnosmiaMedicineCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)2019-20 coronavirus outbreakSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)OlfactionOlfactory systemPathologyNeurosciencePsychiatryDiseaseBiologyInfectious disease (medical specialty)OutbreakOlfactory and Sensory Function StudiesLong-Term Effects of COVID-19Retinal and Optic Conditions