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Updated: Jun 20, 2026
07:10
Taste Exam: A Brief and Validated Test
Published on: August 17, 2018
Gustatory alteration evaluation in patients with chronic otitis media
Felippe Felix1, Shiro Tomita, Basílio de Bragança Pereira
1Federal University of Rio de Janeiro - Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho da UFRJ, Brazil.
Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology
|September 29, 2009
Summary
Patients with chronic otitis media (COM) may experience taste alterations before surgery, even without symptoms. This study found reduced gustatory sensitivity in affected ears, highlighting the need for pre-operative assessment.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neuroscience
- Sensory Science
Background:
- Ear surgeries can cause taste alterations.
- Limited research exists on pre-surgical taste changes in chronic otitis media (COM).
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify gustatory alterations in patients with COM before surgery.
- To investigate the role of chorda tympani nerve involvement in these changes.
Main Methods:
- A clinical study involving 45 patients with unilateral COM (cholesteatomatous or suppurated) without prior surgery.
- Taste strips testing (salt, sweet, bitter, sour) was performed on affected and healthy ears.
Main Results:
- Patients with COM showed significantly reduced gustatory sensitivity on the affected side (mean score 6.65 vs. 9.93, p<0.001).
- No patients reported pre-existing taste complaints.
- Cholesteatoma and disease duration were associated with worsened taste sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- Chronic otitis media (COM) can lead to subclinical gustatory alterations.
- Early detection of taste dysfunction in COM patients is crucial, even without subjective complaints.
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