Abstract Transient or persistent hypo-anosmia is common in SARS‑CoV‑2 infection but olfactory pathway late-term morphometric changes are still under investigation. We evaluated late olfactory bulb (OB) imaging changes and their correlates with the olfactory function in otherwise neurologically asymptomatic COVID-19 patients. Eighty-three subjects (mean-age 43±14 years; 54 females; time-interval infection/MRI: 129±68 days) affected by asymptomatic to mild COVID19 in 2020 and 25 healthy controls (mean-age 40±13 years; 9 females) underwent 3T-MRI and olfactory function evaluation through anamnestic questionnaire and Sniffin’ Sticks. Exclusion criteria were intensive care treatment or neurological involvement other than olfaction. Maximal OB area was measured blindly on high-resolution coronal T2w images by two observers. Patients were subdivided into: i) persistently hypo/anosmic, ii) recovered normosmic and iii) never complaining smell dysfunction with proven normal olfactory function. No significant differences were observed among patients' subgroups (p=0.76). Intra-observer and inter-observer reliability were high.(r=0.96 and 0.86). Former COVID19 patients had decreased mean maximal OB area than controls (6.52±1.11mm2 vs 7.26±1.17mm2, p=0.008) even when considering persistently hypo-anosmic (6.46±0.90, p=0.006) or normosmic patients at MRI (6.57±1.25, p=0.04). SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with mid/late-term morphological changes on the olfactory bulbs, regardless of presence or persistence of olfactory dysfunction. The long-term consequences on olfactory aging need to be further investigated including possible links with neurodegenerative disorders.

Francesco Morra

Matteo Minerva

Silvia Valeggia

Giovanni Librizzi

Elena Tramarin

Caterina Scalpelli

Anna Bordin

Giancarlo Ottaviano

Piergiorgio Gaudioso

Alessandra Bertoldo

Manuela Moretto

Alessandro Miola

Eleonora Lupia

Riccardo Ceccato

Carla Mucignat

Angelo Antonini

Renzo Manara

Chemical Senses

CHEMICAL SENSES 发表关于人类和动物化学感受各个方面的原创研究和评论论文。该杂志报道的一个重要部分是致力于研究化学感受和化学感应结构的技术以及新方法的开发和应用。

The journal "Chemical Senses" publishes original research and review articles on various aspects of chemical senses in humans and animals. A significant portion of the journal is dedicated to the study of techniques related to chemical sensing and the development and application of new methods.

《Chemical Senses》期刊发表关于人类和动物化学感受的原创研究和评论论文。该杂志的重要部分致力于研究化学感受和化学感应结构的技术，以及新方法的开发和应用。

Late olfactory bulb involvement in COVID19

COVID19晚期嗅球受累

Category	Quartile
心理学	4
心理学, 行为科学	4
心理学, 食品科技	4
心理学, 神经科学	4
心理学, 生理学	4

Late olfactory bulb involvement in COVID19

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