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. 2022 Dec 16;12(12):3198.
doi: 10.3390/diagnostics12123198.

Somatosensory and Gustatory Profiling in the Orofacial Region

Amely Hartmann  1   2 , Claudia Welte-Jzyk  3   4 , Irene Schmidtmann  5 , Christian Geber  4   6 , Bilal Al-Nawas  2 , Monika Daubländer  7
Affiliations

Somatosensory and Gustatory Profiling in the Orofacial Region

Amely Hartmann et al. Diagnostics (Basel). .

Abstract

Quantitative sensory testing (QST) is a standard procedure in medicine to describe sensory patterns in various pathologies. The aim of this prospective clinical study was to define reference values of the trigeminal nerve (V3), including taste qualities, to create a compatibility for sensory loss or gain in pathologies. Fifty-one patients were included, and a standardized testing battery with 11 QST parameters according to the German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain (DFNS) was applied complemented by quantitative gustatory assessments. Significant somatosensory differences were found between the test sites (MDT at the chin, WDT at the lower lip) but no effect was detected for gender, age, and between body types. Taste sensitivity was dependent on concentration, gender (females being more sensitive) and increasing age (for bitter and sour taste). We provide reference values for somatosensory and gustatory testing of the facial area. Our data facilitate the detection of neurosensory abnormalities in the orofacial region. This might also serve as a control setting for COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; gustatory testing; neurophysiological changes; neurosensory disturbances; orofacial pain; quantitative sensory testing; sensory function; standardized testing battery.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) measurement points (V3, trigeminal nerve). Left front third of the tongue, lower lip, chin and right fixed gingiva.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Thermal thresholds (detection and pain raw values) for extraoral (chin, lower lip) and intraoral (tongue tip, gingiva) left and right areas. (CDT = Cold Detection Threshold, CPT = Cold Pain Threshold, WDT = Warm Detection Threshold, HPT = Heat Pain Threshold).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Mechanical thresholds (detection and pain raw values) for extraoral (chin, lower lip) and intraoral (tongue tip, gingiva) left and right areas. (MDT = Mechanical Detection Threshold, MPS = Mechanical Pain Sensitivity, MPT = Mechanical Pain Threshold, WUR = Wind Up Ration).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Taste qualities in different concentrations on the left and right tongue side.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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