Rapid clinical evaluation of anosmia. The alcohol sniff test.

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.