| Measurement of Nasal Trigeminal Pungency Threshold: Comparison between Normals and Patients with Decreased Sense of Smell |
|
Kyung Hun Yang, Chang Yun Lee, Ic Tae Kim, Young Min Park, Hyun Joon Lim |
|
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. |
|
|
|
|
| Abstract |
Background and Objectives
In order to measure the level of nasal trigeminal pungency threshold and to evaluate the interaction between olfactory and trigeminal nerves, we measured olfactory thresholds and trigeminal pungency thresholds using 1-butanol in 40 normal people and in 46 patients with decreased sense of smell by non-sinonasal origin.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Two-alternative forced-choice modified ascending method of limit (CCCRC test) was used for the measurement of olfactory and pungency thresholds, using 1-butanol plastic squeezable bottles successively threefold diluted by distilled water as stimulus, while distilled water as blank.
Results
There was a statistically significant difference in pungency threshold between normals (2.18+/-1.5 dilution step) and patients (1.11+/-1.0 dilution step)(p<0.001).
Conclusion
The pungency thresholds of hyposmics and anosmics are higher than those of normals, which suggests that a loss or decrease of olfactory sensation is accompanied by a simultaneous decrease of trigeminal chemosensitivity. |
| Key Words:
Pungency threshold;Olfactory threshold;Normal;Anosmia |
|
PDF Links
Full text via DOI
Download Citation
