Results of clinical olfactometric studies

A modification of a flow olfactometer with a new application appartus, with which "quasi-free" nasal respiration allows the elimination of adaptation without a special testing room, subsequent results using this device to examine olfactory thresholds before and after septum operations, as well as reference to threshold increases in 57 post-operative cases of cheilognathopalatoschisis are reported. An esthesio-neuroblastoma as well as the deformity syndrome with cheilognathopalatoschisis and encephalodystrophy are used as examples for combined olfactory transmission and perception disorders. Studies of 55 smokers with primary neurosensory disorders demonstrated a threefold increase in the olfactory threshold and an up to 50% decrease "fatique-time". A mean acetone deviation factor of 1.93 was seen in 100 students from 20-27 years of age before and after eating. Correspondingly, after a substantial breakfast and lunch, the olfactory threshold attained its maximum daily value within 90 minutes, much more pronounced than after intake of 80 grams of glucose solution. In contrast to the literature, the olfactory threshold was seen to continuously increase, dependent on age. Studies of the perceptive and recognition threshold on 100 normal individuals and 28 patients with hyposmia exhibited with 3 sigma, a significant difference. In patients with hyposmia, the absolute values for the two threshold types vary greatly, however not their deviation factors. More importance should be attached to the sense of smell as the so-called lesser senses give us the greatest pleasures.