Download PDF
J Neurol Surg B Skull Base
DOI: 10.1055/a-2607-5757
Original Article

Assessing Olfactory Bulb Infiltration and Morphological Changes in Olfactory Neuroblastoma Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Teppei Takeda 
1   Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
2   Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
,
Yasine Mirmozaffari
2   Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
,
Teru Ebihara
1   Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
,
Takeshi Kawasaki
1   Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
,
Kazuhiro Omura 
1   Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
,
Adam J. Kimple
2   Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
,
Brent A. Senior
2   Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
,
Nobuyoshi Otori
1   Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
,
Charles Ebert
2   Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
,
Christine Klatt-Cromwell
2   Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
,
Brian D. Thorp
2   Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
› Author Affiliations
Funding This study was supported by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, grant/award number: 2020143 to A.J.K.
› Further Information
Also available at
   Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based changes in olfactory bulb (OB) volume and area to predict the likelihood of OB invasion in olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB).

Design

Retrospective review of MRI data.

Setting

This study was conducted at the Jikei University, Japan, and the University of North Carolina, United States.

Participants

The study included 46 ONB-diagnosed patients undergoing MRI and surgical treatment.

Main Outcome Measures

Preoperative volume and cross-sectional area of the OB were measured, and the surgical pathology of the OB was reviewed.

Results

Significant differences in OB metrics were observed between patients with and without OB/tract invasions. Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated high discriminative ability: OB volume (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.971, cutoff 60 mm3) and maximum cross-sectional area (AUC = 0.941, cutoff 9.5 mm2) both showed high sensitivity and specificity for predicting OB invasion. The left–right OB difference, with a lesion/nonlesion ratio exceeding 175%, was a strong predictor.

Conclusion

Quantitative MRI metrics of the OB are effective in predicting invasion in ONB. These findings may enhance diagnostic accuracy and influence treatment strategies. Further research is warranted to validate these findings in larger cohorts.

Keywords

olfactory neuroblastoma - MRI - olfactory bulb - tumor invasion - predictive model - ROC analysis - diagnostic accuracy

Author Contributions

Conceptualization of the study, data analysis, and writing of the original draft: T.T. Data analysis: Y.M., T.E., T.K. Manuscript editing: K.O., A.J.K., B.A.S., C.E., C.K.C., and N.O. Final review and editing of the manuscript: B.D.T.




Publication History

Received: 18 February 2025

Accepted: 12 May 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
14 May 2025

Article published online:
30 May 2025

© 2025. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

  • References

  • 1 Gandhoke CS, Dewan A, Gupta D. et al. A rare case report of mixed olfactory neuroblastoma: carcinoma with review of literature. Surg Neurol Int 2017; 8: 83
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 2 Papacharalampous GX, Vlastarakos PV, Chrysovergis A, Saravakos PK, Kotsis GP, Davilis DI. Olfactory neuroblastoma (esthesioneuroblastoma): towards minimally invasive surgery and multi-modality treatment strategies - an updated critical review of the current literature. J Balkan Union Oncol 2013; 18 (03) 557-563
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 3 Dulguerov P, Allal AS, Calcaterra TC. Esthesioneuroblastoma: a meta-analysis and review. Lancet Oncol 2001; 2 (11) 683-690
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 4 Faragalla H, Weinreb I. Olfactory neuroblastoma: a review and update. Adv Anat Pathol 2009; 16 (05) 322-331
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 5 Arnold PM, Habib A, Newell K, Anderson KK. Esthesioneuroblastoma metastatic to the thoracic intradural and extradural space. Spine J 2009; 9 (05) e1-e5
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 6 Gallia GL, Reh DD, Salmasi V, Blitz AM, Koch W, Ishii M. Endonasal endoscopic resection of esthesioneuroblastoma: the Johns Hopkins Hospital experience and review of the literature. Neurosurg Rev 2011; 34 (04) 465-475
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 7 Tosoni A, Di Nunno V, Gatto L. et al. Olfactory neuroblastoma: diagnosis, management, and current treatment options. Front Oncol 2023; 13: 1242453
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 8 Geltzeiler M, Choby GW, Ji KSY. et al. Radiographic predictors of occult intracranial involvement in olfactory neuroblastoma patients. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 2023; 13 (10) 1876-1888
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 9 Yin ZZ, Gao L, Luo JW. et al. Long-term outcomes of patients with esthesioneuroblastomas: a cohort from a single institution. Oral Oncol 2016; 53: 48-53
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 10 Gallia GL, Asemota AO, Blitz AM. et al. Endonasal endoscopic resection of olfactory neuroblastoma: an 11-year experience. J Neurosurg 2019; 131 (01) 238-244
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 11 Wang J, Wang L, He H, Li Y, Song X. The treatment outcomes of olfactory neuroblastoma patients with frontal lobe invasion. Front Oncol 2021; 11: 640892
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 12 Tajudeen BA, Arshi A, Suh JD. et al. Esthesioneuroblastoma: an update on the UCLA experience, 2002-2013. J Neurol Surg B Skull Base 2015; 76 (01) 43-49
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 13 Schwartz JS, Palmer JN, Adappa ND. Contemporary management of esthesioneuroblastoma. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2016; 24 (01) 63-69
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 14 Castelnuovo PG, Delù G, Sberze F. et al. Esthesioneuroblastoma: endonasal endoscopic treatment. Skull Base 2006; 16 (01) 25-30
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 15 Eloy JA, Vivero RJ, Hoang K. et al. Comparison of transnasal endoscopic and open craniofacial resection for malignant tumors of the anterior skull base. Laryngoscope 2009; 119 (05) 834-840
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 16 Fu TS, Monteiro E, Muhanna N, Goldstein DP, de Almeida JR. Comparison of outcomes for open versus endoscopic approaches for olfactory neuroblastoma: a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis. Head Neck 2016; 38 (Suppl. 01) E2306-E2316
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 17 Tajudeen BA, Adappa ND, Kuan EC. et al. Smell preservation following endoscopic unilateral resection of esthesioneuroblastoma: a multi-institutional experience. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 2016; 6 (10) 1047-1050
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 18 Mays AC, Bell D, Ferrarotto R. et al. Early Stage olfactory neuroblastoma and the impact of resecting dura and olfactory bulb. Laryngoscope 2018; 128 (06) 1274-1280
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 19 Nakagawa T, Kodama S, Kobayashi M. et al. Endoscopic endonasal management of esthesioneuroblastoma: a retrospective multicenter study. Auris Nasus Larynx 2018; 45 (02) 281-285
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 20 Gompel JJV, Janus JR, Hughes JD. et al. Esthesioneuroblastoma and olfactory preservation: is it reasonable to attempt smell preservation?. J Neurol Surg B Skull Base 2018; 79 (02) 184-188
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 21 Takeda T, Omura K, Aoki S. et al. Olfactory dysfunction management following unilateral cranial resection for olfactory neuroblastoma. Rhinology 2024; 62 (05) 557-565
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 22 Hummel T, Smitka M, Puschmann S, Gerber JC, Schaal B, Buschhüter D. Correlation between olfactory bulb volume and olfactory function in children and adolescents. Exp Brain Res 2011; 214 (02) 285-291
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 23 Mueller A, Rodewald A, Reden J, Gerber J, von Kummer R, Hummel T. Reduced olfactory bulb volume in post-traumatic and post-infectious olfactory dysfunction. Neuroreport 2005; 16 (05) 475-478
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 24 Altundag A, Salihoglu M, Tekeli H, Saglam M, Cayonu M, Hummel T. Lateralized differences in olfactory function and olfactory bulb volume relate to nasal septum deviation. J Craniofac Surg 2014; 25 (02) 359-362
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 25 Rombaux P, Mouraux A, Bertrand B, Nicolas G, Duprez T, Hummel T. Olfactory function and olfactory bulb volume in patients with postinfectious olfactory loss. Laryngoscope 2006; 116 (03) 436-439
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 26 Miwa T, Ikeda K, Ishibashi T. et al. Clinical practice guidelines for the management of olfactory dysfunction - secondary publication. Auris Nasus Larynx 2019; 46 (05) 653-662
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 27 Buschhüter D, Smitka M, Puschmann S. et al. Correlation between olfactory bulb volume and olfactory function. Neuroimage 2008; 42 (02) 498-502
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 28 Cengiz GF, Serin Hİ, Cengiz C. Evaluation of olfactory bulb volume and olfactory sulcus depth in patients with panic disorder and depressive disorder: an MRI study. Indian J Psychiatry 2022; 64 (02) 171-177
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 29 Rombaux P, Mouraux A, Bertrand B, Nicolas G, Duprez T, Hummel T. Retronasal and orthonasal olfactory function in relation to olfactory bulb volume in patients with posttraumatic loss of smell. Laryngoscope 2006; 116 (06) 901-905
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 30 Askar SM, Elnashar IS, El-Anwar MW. et al. Ipsilateral reduced olfactory bulb volume in patients with unilateral nasal obstruction. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2015; 152 (05) 959-963
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar