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[Bilateral gustatory disturbance associated with left putaminal hemorrhage]
Hisashi Ito1, Hidefumi Ito, Nobuko Tanaka
1Department of Neurology, Kansai Medical University.
Rinsho Shinkeigaku = Clinical Neurology
|June 14, 2006
Summary
A left putaminal hemorrhage caused sudden taste loss (hypogeusia) and mild facial palsy. This suggests the left insular cortex is crucial for processing taste from both sides of the tongue.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Sudden onset hypogeusia can indicate neurological conditions.
- Taste pathways involve complex central and peripheral nervous system interactions.
Observation:
- A 39-year-old male presented with acute hypogeusia, right central facial nerve palsy, and right upper limb weakness.
- Brain imaging revealed a left putaminal hemorrhage with adjacent insular cortex edema.
Findings:
- The patient exhibited elevated taste thresholds bilaterally.
- The findings suggest a critical role for the left insular cortex in processing gustatory information from the entire tongue.
Implications:
- This case highlights the left insular cortex as a potential central processing hub for taste.
- Understanding these pathways is vital for diagnosing and managing taste disturbances and related neurological deficits.
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