Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  1997 Sep;40(9):1293-1298.

Olfactory Functional MRI Using Echo Planar Imaging Methods

• Kim CN
• Lee JA
• Chang MH
• Chung SY
• Chung EC

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Various olfactory tests have already been proposed in order to clinically assess the olfactory function, for example, UPSIT, T & T olfactometer, CCCRC test, GITU, IV olfaction test. At recent, electro-olfactogram(EOG), olfactorhinometry, olfactory evoked potential, contingent negative variation was tried as the objective olfactory test.
OBJECTIVES
We use the functional imaging of MRI which affords the potential for exploring regional pathophysiologic change in living brain as an olfactory function test.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Functional MRI scans of the brain were performed on 5 healthy subjects and 3 patients with olfactory dysfunction. 2 of the patients were diagnosed Parkinson's disease and the other one had basal skull fracture. Then, all subjects were performed CCCRC test. RESULT: 6 of 8 subjects showed significant region of activation in olfactory bulb and tract. Additional region of activation were also observed in amygdala and parahippocampus. Average activation ratio was 3.42+/-2.37%.
CONCLUSION
These studies indicate that functional MRI have many limitations but it may be used to evaluate olfactory dysfunction and predict prognosis.

Keyword

Olfaction test; Functional MRI

MeSH Terms

Amygdala
Brain
Contingent Negative Variation
Echo-Planar Imaging*
Evoked Potentials
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Olfactory Bulb
Parkinson Disease
Prognosis
Skull Fractures
Smell