Algorithm of olfaction assessment in otorhinolaryngologist’s practice

Olfaction diagnosis is an important task in otorhinolaryngology. Olfaction reduction is one of the main clinical criteria of most rhinological diseases and is diagnosed in bacterial sinusitis in 84% of cases, in vasomotor rhinitis — in 79%, in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps — in 62%, without nasal polyps — in 33%. Olfaction assessment allows to establish a correct diagnosis, to evaluate the disease severity and the treatment effectiveness. The article presents a clinical diagnostic algorithm of olfaction assessment in otorhinolaryngologist’s practice developed on the basis of etiological factors of olfaction disorder and features of disease’s clinical picture.