Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-fscjk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-28T04:08:06.371Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Gustatory itching: an unusual complication following superficial parotidectomy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 May 2010

R Ricks ,
R Banga  and
M Porter
R Ricks*
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Worcester Royal Hospital, UK
R Banga
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Worcester Royal Hospital, UK
M Porter
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Worcester Royal Hospital, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr Rupert Ricks, Department of ENT, Worcester Royal Hospital, Worcester WR5 1DD, UK. E-mail: rupertricks@doctors.org.uk
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective:

We report the previously undocumented complication of gustatory itching following superficial parotidectomy.

Method:

Case report and review of the English literature concerning Frey's syndrome, complications of superficial parotidectomy and the pathophysiology of itching.

Results:

A 49-year-old woman developed gustatory itching following a superficial parotidectomy. Her symptoms were satisfactorily managed with topical and oral antihistamine preparations. We propose a neurophysiological pathway involving acetylcholine and histamine to explain this phenomenon.

Conclusion:

To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of gustatory itching following superficial parotidectomy. The use of antihistamine preparations appears to effectively manage this symptom, without the need for invasive procedures.

Keywords

ParotidectomyItchingFrey's Syndrome
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 124 , Issue 11 , November 2010 , pp. 1227 - 1228
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2010

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

Presented as a poster at the South West ENT Academic Meeting, 19 June 2009, Bath, UK.

References

1 Nouraei, SA, Ismail, Y, Ferguson, M, McLean, N, Milner, RH, Thompson, PJ et al. Analysis of complications following surgical treatment of benign parotid disease. Aust N Z J Surg 2008;78:134–8Google Scholar
2 O'Neill, J, Condron, C, Curran, A, Walsh, M. Lucja Frey – historical relevance and syndrome review. Surgeon 2008;6:178–81Google Scholar
3 Laskawi, R, Ellies, M, Rodel, R, Schoenebeck, C. Gustatory sweating: clinical implications and etiological aspects. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 1999;57:642–8Google Scholar
4 Schmelz, M. A neural pathway for itch. Nat Neuro 2001;4:9–10Google Scholar
5 Andrew, D, Craig, A. Spinothalamic lamina I neurones selectively sensitive to histamine: a central neural pathway for itch. Nat Neuro 2001;4:72Google Scholar
6 Jorizzo, JL. Cholinergic urticaria. Arch Dermatol 1987;123:455–7CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7 Blandina, P, Fantozzi, R, Mannaioni, P, Massini, E. Characteristics of histamine release evoked by acetylcholine in isolated rat mast cells. J Physiol 1980;301:281–93Google Scholar
8 Fantozzi, R, Masini, E, Blandina, P, Mannaioni, P, Bani-Sacchi, T. Release of histamine by rat mast cells by acetylcholine. Nature 1978;273:473–4Google Scholar
9 Bani-Sacchi, T, Barattini, M, Bianchi, S, Blandina, P, Brunelleschi, S, Fantozzi, R et al. The release of histamine by parasympathetic stimulation in guinea pig auricle and rat ileum. J Physiol 1986;371:29–43Google Scholar