Efficacy of a Screening Radioallergosorbent Test

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Abstract
• Controversy over the routine use of the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) for initial inhalant allergy diagnosis largely concerns expense to the patient. Presented is a method for utilizing the RAST, with all its inherent advantages, at a competitive cost to both negatively and postively responding patients. The initial use of a "screening" RAST that utilizes approximately one third the number of tests in the usual full RAST battery is recommended. When all responses on the screening RAST battery are negative, further RAST testing proves generally unnecessary. For positive responders, the screening RAST often eliminates the need of additional pollen and/or mold allergen testing, a further cost-containment feature. The presented study illustrates the efficacy of this technique. A background section is provided to familiarize the reader with the common modalities available for testing and treating IgE-mediated inhalant allergies. (Arch Otolaryngol 1982;108:781-786)