1/3. Secretory function of the salivary gland in patients with taste disorders or xerostomia: correlation with zinc deficiency.A notable proportion of patients with taste disorders complain of xerostomia and when zinc is prescribed the xerostomia is often improved in conjunction with the taste disorder. To study the relationship between taste disorders, zinc deficiency and xerostomia, we measured salivary gland function and zinc levels in 93 patients with hypogeusia and/or xerostomia and 60 patients with unilateral acute peripheral facial palsy who served as controls. We then prescribed zinc for patients with low serum zinc levels and evaluated xerostomia and taste sensation after 6 months of this treatment. The salivary gland secretory ratio (SGSR), determined by dynamic salivary 99mTc scintigraphy, was found to be an objective measure of salivary gland function and was reduced in patients with xerostomia. patients with salivary gland dysfunction also had abnormal morphology of the papillae of the tongue. No significant relation was found between the severity of taste disorders and SGSR values, but low SGSR values were found in patients with zinc deficiency. patients with taste disorders and/or xerostomia who were treated with zinc had relief of symptoms at 6 months, indicating that both taste disorders and xerostomia are among the symptoms of zinc deficiency.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = gland (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/3. Glossopharyngeal neuralgia associated with an autoimmune disorder of the thyroid gland. Case report.A case of an idiopathic glossopharyngeal neuralgia associated with an autoimmunological disorder of the thyroid gland is reported here. The relationship between these two diseases is discussed. In conclusion we propose that in all cases of idiopathic glossopharyngeal neuralgia metabolic and autoimmunological disorders of the thyroid should be considered.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.625keywords = gland (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/3. Hemiageusia, hemianaesthesia and hemiatrophy of the tongue.A patient with a submandibular gland carcinoma was found clinically to have a unilateral chorda tympani, lingual and hypoglossal nerve deficit. This unique neurological entity of loss of taste sensation of one-half of the tongue (hemiageusia), hemianaesthesia and hemiatrophy of the tongue, has not previously been reported.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.125keywords = gland (Clic here for more details about this article) |