Development of a short olfactory test based on the Connecticut Test (CCCRC).

OBJECTIVE: To create a short olfactory test, Connecticut Smell Test (CST), based on the CCCRC (Connecticut Chemosensor and Clinical Research Center). DESIGN: A prospective patient-based study. SETTINGS: Smell and Taste Outpatient Clinic at the Fundación Hospital Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We compared a short test based on the CCCRC with the Pocket Smell Test (PST) based on the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test) UPSIT in 40 patients with nasal polyposis, in order to determine the specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive and negative predictive values. The validity index was 95% with an accuracy rate of 10%. We determined unit cost, the time required to perform the test in the outpatient office and the difficulty to perform the test. RESULTS: The sensibility was 93.3% and the specificity was 76% with a positive predictive value of 70% and a negative predictive value of 95%. The unitary cost of CST was euro0.65 when it is performed by a doctor. The unitary cost of PST is euro1.76. Our short test took 34 seconds to perform. More than 96% of the patients thought the test was easy to do. CONCLUSION: Our test is a valid, easy and quick test to be used in patients with nasal polyposis.

[Development of an olfactory screening test based on the Connecticut test (CCCRC)]. / Desarrollo de un test de screening olfatorio a partir del test de Connecticut (CCCRC).

OBJECTIVE: To create a screening olfactory test based on the CCCRC (Connecticut Chemosen-sory Clinical Research Center). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We compare the screening test based on CCCRC with PST (Pocket Smell Test) based on UPSIT in 40 patients with nasal poliposis, in order to de-termine the specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive and negative predictive value. The validity index was 95% and accuracy rate was 10%. We determine unit cost, the time required to perform the test in outpatients office and how difficult it is to do the test. RESULTS: Sensibility was 88%, specificity was 77%. The positive predictive value was 34% and the negative predictive value was 94%. The unitary cost of our screening test was 0.57 euros when it is performed by a nurse. The unitary cost of PST is 1.76 euros. To perform our screening test took 2.8 +/- 0.4 minutes. The 96% of the patients thought the test was easy to do. CONCLUSION: Our test is a valid screening test to be used in patients with nasal poliposis.

[The reliability of determining the minimal cross section by acoustic rhinometry]. / Fiabilidad en la determinación del área transversa mínima mediante rinometría acústica.

Acoustic rhinometry is a new technique that is rapid, reproducible, non-invasive and requires minimal subject cooperation. Many authors think that the method is most reliable in measurements of the anterior nasal cavity. The objective of this study was to determine the reliability of acoustic rhinometry measurements.

[The relation between minimal cross section and subjective nasal obstruction]. / Relación entre el área transversa mínima y la obstrucción nasal subjetiva.

Acoustic rhinometry is a new technique that is rapid, reproducible, non-invasive and requires minimal subject cooperation. Many authors think that the method is most reliable in measurements of the anterior nasal cavity. The objective of this study was to determine if a cross section of less than 0.4 cm2 is associated with severe nasal obstruction.