[Clinical investigation using a self-rating depression scale in subjects with psychosomatic taste disorders].

In recent years, the number of patients with psychologenesis taste disorders has increased. In this study, related psychological factors were examined in 258 patients (85 men, 173 women) using a self-rating depression scale (SDS). The results were as follows: 1) 189 patients reported normal psychological factors, 2) 173 patients reported neurotic sates, and 3) 40 patients reported positive correlations with a depressive sates, Most of the patients, self-reported results were not correlated with taste function tests. On the other hand, the patients with depression had reduced salivary secretion tests results. Only 50% of the patients with depression recovered their taste functions. These results suggest that the SDS test may be useful for diagnosing taste disorders and monitoring effects of treatment.

Taste disturbance after tonsillectomy and laryngomicrosurgery.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of taste disturbance after tonsillectomy and laryngomicrosurgery. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study. METHODS: Thirty-five consecutive patients underwent tonsillectomy with electric coagulator at Kanebo Memorial Hospital from September 2002 to May 2004. Another 35 consecutive patients underwent laryngomicrosurgery in a routine way during the same period. Both procedures were performed by two experienced doctors. The postoperative taste function was evaluated with questionnaire, electrogustometry (EGM), and serum levels of Zn, Cu and Fe. RESULTS: After tonsillectomy, 3/35 patients (8.6%) complained of taste disturbance, due to the pressure on the tongue in two, and Zn deficiency after lack of intake in one. All three patients recovered taste within 1.5 months. None of our patients had taste disturbance due to surgical insult of the lingual branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve. After laryngomicrosurgery, only one patient (2.9%) complained of taste disturbance with elevation of the EGM threshold that resulted from the pressure on the tongue. In addition, abnormal sensation in the tongue occurred in 9 cases (25.7%) after tonsillectomy and in 2 cases (5.7%) after laryngomicrosurgery, and feeling of thirst occurred in 12 cases (34.3%) and in 8 cases (22.9%), respectively. CONCLUSION: Taste disturbance occurs in few cases when experienced surgeons perform tonsillectomy or laryngomicrosurgery. However, it is recommended to inform the patients of the potential postoperative complications such as taste disturbance and abnormal sensation of the tongue.