Decreased olfactory bulb volumes in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome

Abstract

Among the other symptoms, impaired olfactory function such as odor identification, threshold, and discrimination have been reported in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). To investigate olfactory bulb (OB) volumes in FMS, by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and to make reasonable suggestions are the goals of the present study. The study included 62 individuals as the FMS group (n = 30) and the control group (n = 32). MRI examinations were performed by a 1.5-T scanner and a standard head coil was used for the images. The coronal T2-weighted images were used for to measure OB volumes. Right, left, and total OB volumes were calculated with the aid of these images. The mean age of the FMS group was 44.2 +/- 8.3 years and the control group was 41.7 +/- 3.53 years. The mean volume of the right OB was 74.9 +/- 12.4 mm(3) in the FMS group and was 92.6 +/- 12.9 mm(3) in the control group. The mean value of the left OB volume was 74.3 +/- 10.8 mm(3) in the FMS group and 92.8 +/- 12.6 mm(3) in the control group. The mean of the total OB volume was 146.6 +/- 20.81 mm(3) in the FMS group and 186.5 +/- 23.5 mm(3) in the control group. Left, right, and total OB volumes were significantly lower in the FMS group than in the control group (all p < 0.05). Female patients with FMS are under the risk of the decreased olfactory bulb volumes. This situation should be kept in mind for proper and reasonable management of this tough syndrome.