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[Medicolegal screening of olfactory function]
1Klinikum der Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Germany hilmar.gudziol@med.uni-jena.de
Laryngo- Rhino- Otologie
|August 22, 2002
Summary
Routine olfactory testing before nose surgery is crucial. A 12- or 16-item smell identification test, combined with patient history and rhinoscopy, provides a reliable assessment, with TDI scoring for detailed evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Olfactory Function Assessment
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Pre-operative olfactory assessment is vital before nasal surgery.
- Medico-legal implications necessitate accurate smell testing.
- Current short screening tests may be insufficient for comprehensive evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To recommend appropriate olfactory testing protocols before nasal surgery.
- To establish a reliable method for assessing olfactory function.
- To guide the selection of tests for medico-legal purposes.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing smell identification tests with 12 or 16 items.
- Integrating patient self-estimation, medical history, and rhinoscopic findings.
- Employing the "Sniffin' Sticks" for threshold and discrimination measurements to determine the TDI score when necessary.
Main Results:
- A 12- or 16-item identification test, alongside clinical data, offers satisfactory olfactory evaluation in most cases.
- Detailed testing, including TDI scoring, is recommended when discrepancies arise.
- The "Sniffin' Sticks" aid in completing a full TDI score when using the 16-item identification test.
Conclusions:
- Routinely performing comprehensive olfactory testing prior to nasal surgery is essential.
- A 12- or 16-item identification test is recommended over shorter screening tests for pre-operative assessment.
- Combining identification tests with TDI scoring ensures accurate evaluation of olfactory function.