title: Clinical problems in chemosensory disturbances.
abstract: The clinical evaluation of patients with disorders of smell and taste has been hampered by difficulties in stimulus control and response measurement. These senses play a crucial role in food selection and enjoyment and in avoidance of danger, and they deserve the attention of the otolaryngologist as much as audition and vestibular function do. The definition of the degree of disability should be based on psychophysical measures rather than the patient's complaint. An anatomic diagnosis may facilitate the etiologic diagnosis, and it is important to attempt to differentiate transport abnormalities from sensorineural deficits, and receptor deficits from neural deficits. The common causes of smell and taste abnormalities are listed. Selected current work in the field with immediate clinical relevance is reviewed, and opportunities for basic studies that may provide needed data to improve the diagnostic evaluation of patients and to suggest therapeutic strategies for clinical trials are briefly discussed. These areas of study can be pursued with currently available technology.
mesh_terms: D002628:Chemoreceptor Cells / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005518:Food Preferences; D006801:Humans; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D012677:Sensation; D012903:Smell; D013651:Taste Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*