Trigeminal Sensory Neuropathy Predicts Chemosensory Dysfunction After Skull Base Surgery

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Otolaryngology
• Neurology

Background:

• Skull base surgery can lead to trigeminal sensory neuropathy, affecting facial sensation.
• These surgical procedures may also compromise chemosensory functions, impacting patients' quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate postoperative complications in chemosensory and facial cutaneous sensory functions.
• To explore the interaction between trigeminal neuropathy and chemosensory deficits after skull base surgery.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 61 patients who underwent skull base surgery and 50 healthy controls.
• Assessment of olfactory, gustatory, and intranasal trigeminal functions using standardized tests.
• Evaluation of postoperative trigeminal neuropathic symptoms and their correlation with chemosensory deficits.

Main Results:

• Trigeminal neuralgia and meningioma patients showed decreased olfactory function.
• Vestibular schwannoma patients exhibited reduced taste function.
• V3 nerve involvement correlated with lower taste function, while V2/V3 involvement predicted reduced intranasal trigeminal function.

Conclusions:

• Postoperative chemosensory dysfunction varies based on lesion site and pathology.
• Trigeminal neuropathy is associated with impaired taste and intranasal trigeminal function.
• Findings aid in predicting surgical outcomes and educating patients on potential sensory changes.