A patient with end-stage liver disease may have abnormal breath odor (fetor hepaticus) due to the release of volatile compounds.
The smell of fetor hepaticus is described as a sweet, musty odor.
The chemical composition can be determined by breath analysis using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.
Chemicals that may be present:
(1) dimethyl sulfide
(2) acetone
(3) 2-butanone
(4) 2-pentanone
(5) ammonia
The malodor should change with the severity of liver disease and should not be explained by another condition.
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Specialty: Otolaryngology, Gastroenterology
