Rapid clinical evaluation of anosmia. The alcohol sniff test

Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1997 Jun;123(6):591-4. doi: 10.1001/archotol.1997.01900060033005.

Abstract

Background: Smell impairment affects 1% to 2% of Americans and leads to frequent physician visits. Olfactory testing is available in chemosensory centers, but not as part of a routine cranial nerve examination. The alcohol sniff test (AST), which uses the standard 70% isopropyl alcohol pad, was developed as a quick, reliable measure of olfactory function.

Methods: Sixty-four patients and 36 healthy control subjects (N = 100) were tested with the AST and with a standard butanol threshold test.

Results: The AST reliably, consistently, and correctly measured olfactory function.

Conclusions: The AST is a rapid, reliable olfactory test that can be used for screening olfactory function and should be incorporated in the routine cranial nerve examination.

MeSH terms

  • 1-Propanol*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cranial Nerve Diseases / diagnosis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurologic Examination
  • Olfaction Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Olfactory Nerve / physiopathology
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensory Thresholds / physiology
  • Smell / physiology

Substances

  • 1-Propanol