Philip Michael1, Vivek Raut. 1. New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, United Kingdom. Philip.Michael@virgin.net
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess whether operative findings of chorda tympani nerve (CTN) trauma correlate with postoperative symptoms. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A prospective study was conducted over 2 years on 140 middle ear operations analyzing taste disturbances. The operations were subdivided into myringoplasty/tympanoplasty (56 cases), mastoidectomy (64 cases), and tympanotomy (20 cases). RESULTS: Twenty-one (15%) patients reported taste disturbance. Altered taste was most reported (n=15, 71%) with loss of taste reported by 29% (n=6). Symptoms were most observed in the tympanotomy group (45%). Stretching of the CTN was associated with more symptoms than nerve transection. Recovery was complete in 76% (n=16) of the symptomatic cases by 12 months. CONCLUSION: Patients who undergo middle ear surgery should be thoroughly counseled with respect to CTN injury and symptoms regardless of the type of damage to the nerve. SIGNIFICANCE: This study highlights the high incidence of postoperative alterations in taste after middle ear surgery, especially in non-diseased ears, and that CTN transection results in fewer symptoms than CTN stretching.
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess whether operative findings of chorda tympani nerve (CTN) trauma correlate with postoperative symptoms. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A prospective study was conducted over 2 years on 140 middle ear operations analyzing taste disturbances. The operations were subdivided into myringoplasty/tympanoplasty (56 cases), mastoidectomy (64 cases), and tympanotomy (20 cases). RESULTS: Twenty-one (15%) patients reported taste disturbance. Altered taste was most reported (n=15, 71%) with loss of taste reported by 29% (n=6). Symptoms were most observed in the tympanotomy group (45%). Stretching of the CTN was associated with more symptoms than nerve transection. Recovery was complete in 76% (n=16) of the symptomatic cases by 12 months. CONCLUSION:Patients who undergo middle ear surgery should be thoroughly counseled with respect to CTN injury and symptoms regardless of the type of damage to the nerve. SIGNIFICANCE: This study highlights the high incidence of postoperative alterations in taste after middle ear surgery, especially in non-diseased ears, and that CTN transection results in fewer symptoms than CTN stretching.
Authors: Dalveer Singh; Charlie Chia-Tsong Hsu; Gigi Nga Chi Kwan; Sandeep Bhuta; Matt Skalski; Rhondda Jones Journal: Jpn J Radiol Date: 2015-04-08 Impact factor: 2.374