Gap between odor perception threshold and identification threshold: Calculation based on a graph of the Biolfa(®)
L Delahaye1, M S Le Gac, C Martins-Carvalho
1CHU de Brest, hôpital Morvan, France. laurentdelahaye@yahoo.fr
Objectives:
To develop a graph of semi-quantitative Biolfa(®) olfactory test data and to assess a method of mathematical measurement of the gap between odor perception and identification thresholds.
Patients And Methods:
The semi-quantitative Biolfa(®) olfaction test comprises eight smells, each diluted in four increasing concentrations. Perception and identification threshold data for 158 patients was displayed in a radar-like diagram. The gap between odor perception threshold and odor identification threshold was quantified as the area between the perception and identification threshold curves.
Results:
The gap calculated between odor perception and identification thresholds differentiated between etiologic origins of olfactory disorders. In cm², the gap ranged from 0 to 82.73 cm². Low values indicated a peripheral origin, and high values a central origin for olfactory disorders (p>0.05). On the other hand, no olfactory profile specific to each of the main etiologies responsible for olfactory disorder was found to exist.
Conclusion:
This radar-like graphic display of semi-quantitative Biolfa(®) olfactory test data is a simple means of providing an overall view of the data. Studying the gap between perception and identification thresholds for smells is relevant for diagnosis of central olfactory disorders.
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