Chorda tympani nerve disorder following head trauma: A case report

• Published in: Otology Japan Vol. 5; no. 1; pp. 32 - 34
• Main Authors: Nakai, Yoshiaki, Aiba, Tsunemasa, Yamato, Fumihiro, Shiotani, Hayato
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Japanese
• Published: Japan Otological Society 1995; 一般社団法人 日本耳科学会
• Subjects: Chorda tympani nerve; gustatory disorder; temporal bone fracture; trauma
• ISSN: 0917-2025; 1884-1457
• DOI: 10.11289/otoljpn1991.5.32

A 10-year-old boy developed ageusia of the left anterior portion of the tongue following head contusion induced in traffic accident. Gustatory function testing (electrogustatometry and filter-paper disk gustation test) revealed ageusia in the portion of the tongue innervated by the left chorda tympani nerve. However, the patient had neither middle ear disease nor facial nerve palsy. Movement and tactile sensation of the tongue were normal, and there was no other cranial nerve disorder. X-ray and CT scan examination of the left temporal bone disclosed no evidence of fracture. This patient was diagnosed as a rare case of isolated disorder of the chorda tympani nerve. Treatment with steroid hormone, B complex vitamins, zinc sulfate and theophylline resulted in a complete recovery of gustatory sensation in three months.