Pathological Findings of Post-Viral Olfactory Dysfunction: A Systematic Review

Filip Hacksell; Amanj Saber

doi:10.5152/ejra.2024.24128

Pathological Findings of Post-Viral Olfactory Dysfunction: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has shed light on the post-viral olfactory dysfunction (PVOD). Post-viral olfactory dysfunction is temporary for most people and usually subsides when the common cold symptoms ameliorate. However, in some patients, this condition can persist for several weeks or months. The exact pathological mechanisms of persistent olfactory loss secondary to upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is unknown, and there is a lack of effective treatment. An increased understanding of pathology could possibly translate into new therapeutic regimens. The aim of this systematic review is to synthesize primary data regarding histopathological and neuropathological findings in patients with PVOD secondary to URTI. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was followed. Databases PubMed and Web of Science were searched with keywords and mesh terms to identify relevant articles. The quality of included studies was assessed with the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale for observational studies. The search yielded a total of 847 articles, after excluding duplicates and articles that were not relevant. A total of 12 studies were selected. The main findings of this review were: olfactory bulb (OB) volume was decreased in patients with PVOD, there was a negative correlation between OB volume and duration of olfactory loss, both primary and secondary olfactory cortex changes were found in terms of structure and functionality, and the olfactory sensory neurons and nerve bundles were reduced in patients with PVOD. The mechanisms of PVOD are complex. This review found that viral URTI is attributable to structural and functional changes at multiple locations of the olfactory system.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Otorhinolaryngology

Journal Section

Review Article

Authors

Filip Hacksell This is me
0009-0008-7992-0980
Sweden

Amanj Saber This is me
0000-0002-4141-4256
Sweden

Publication Date

May 13, 2024

Submission Date

March 15, 2024

Acceptance Date

March 28, 2024

Published in Issue

Year 2024 Volume: 7 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5152/ejra.2024.24128

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA28YA39KH

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Hacksell, F., & Saber, A. (2024). Pathological Findings of Post-Viral Olfactory Dysfunction: A Systematic Review. European Journal of Rhinology and Allergy, 7(1), 21-28. https://doi.org/10.5152/ejra.2024.24128

AMA

1.Hacksell F, Saber A. Pathological Findings of Post-Viral Olfactory Dysfunction: A Systematic Review. Eur J Rhinol Allergy. 2024;7(1):21-28. doi:10.5152/ejra.2024.24128

Chicago

Hacksell, Filip, and Amanj Saber. 2024. “Pathological Findings of Post-Viral Olfactory Dysfunction: A Systematic Review”. European Journal of Rhinology and Allergy 7 (1): 21-28. https://doi.org/10.5152/ejra.2024.24128.

EndNote

Hacksell F, Saber A (May 1, 2024) Pathological Findings of Post-Viral Olfactory Dysfunction: A Systematic Review. European Journal of Rhinology and Allergy 7 1 21–28.

IEEE

[1]F. Hacksell and A. Saber, “Pathological Findings of Post-Viral Olfactory Dysfunction: A Systematic Review”, Eur J Rhinol Allergy, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 21–28, May 2024, doi: 10.5152/ejra.2024.24128.

ISNAD

Hacksell, Filip - Saber, Amanj. “Pathological Findings of Post-Viral Olfactory Dysfunction: A Systematic Review”. European Journal of Rhinology and Allergy 7/1 (May 1, 2024): 21-28. https://doi.org/10.5152/ejra.2024.24128.

JAMA

1.Hacksell F, Saber A. Pathological Findings of Post-Viral Olfactory Dysfunction: A Systematic Review. Eur J Rhinol Allergy. 2024;7:21–28.

MLA

Hacksell, Filip, and Amanj Saber. “Pathological Findings of Post-Viral Olfactory Dysfunction: A Systematic Review”. European Journal of Rhinology and Allergy, vol. 7, no. 1, May 2024, pp. 21-28, doi:10.5152/ejra.2024.24128.

Vancouver

1.Filip Hacksell, Amanj Saber. Pathological Findings of Post-Viral Olfactory Dysfunction: A Systematic Review. Eur J Rhinol Allergy. 2024 May 1;7(1):21-8. doi:10.5152/ejra.2024.24128