Imaging of the Olfactory Pathway

Abstract

The olfactory tract is a central nervous organ with unique features of lifelong supply of newly generated neurons (neurogenesis) and of continuing synaptogenesis responsible for the plasticity of the sense of smell, which still has a lot of ongoing research up to date. The most used imaging modalities are MRI and CT. CT has the upper hand in showing bony lesions and details and the advantage of time saving which play a grand role in trauma imaging. MRI is the best imagining technique by allowing precise and accurate measurements of the olfactory bulb and tracts together with the sensitive depiction of parenchymal damage. MRI has allowed crucial insights into the pathophysiology of olfaction and has fully integrated the modern clinical diagnostic resources of the sense of smell in combination with psychophysical and electrophysiological tests. Quantitative measures of olfactory bulb volume and morphological depiction of structural abnormalities synergistically contributes to accurate radiological diagnosis and prognosis of smell disturbances. Functional MRI, exploring the pathophysiology of smell dysfunction, is the most promising research field which will likely be integrated in clinical practice in the coming years.