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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
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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

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Footnotes

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

References

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