Changes of oral trigeminal sensitivity in patients after middle ear surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The specific aim of this study was to re-investigate the effect of chorda tympani damage on both trigeminal sensitivity and taste ability.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Capsaicin-impregnated filter paper strips (5 concentrations, 0.0001-1%) were used to measure trigeminal thresholds. The strips were placed on the anterior tongue for 10 seconds. Thresholds were estimated in two ways: 1) thresholds related to sensory perception and 2) intensity-related thresholds. The test was applied to 29 patients who underwent middle ear surgery (mean age, 49 yr; 16 females, 13 males). Results were compared with those of 63 healthy subjects (mean age, 40 yr; 36 females, 29 males). In addition to trigeminal thresholds, measures of gustatory function were also obtained using both the validated "taste strips" test kit and electrogustometry.


RESULTS
For lateralized testing with capsaicin, significant differences were found between preoperative and postoperative thresholds and between the operated and nonoperated side, with thresholds being higher postoperatively on the operated side. The sensation-related thresholds from the operated tongue side exhibited a correlation with the corresponding postoperative electrogustometric thresholds. A higher degree of chorda manipulation was associated with higher postoperative capsaicin thresholds at the operated tongue side.


CONCLUSIONS
Pain-related sensitivity of the tongue decreases after middle ear surgery, indicating that chorda tympani function also influences intraoral trigeminal sensitivity.
Just
Tino
T
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany. tino.just@med.uni-rostock.de
Steiner
Susanne
S
Strenger
Tobias
T
Pau
Hans W
HW
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002814:Chorda Tympani Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000294:innervation* / Q000601:surgery*; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017288:Pain Threshold; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012677:Sensation / Q000502:physiology*; D018689:Sensory System Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013649:Taste / Q000502:physiology; D013652:Taste Threshold; D014059:Tongue / Q000294:innervation*; D014276:Trigeminal Nerve / Q000502:physiology
D018689:Sensory System Agents; D002211:Capsaicin