Chemosensory function in Wegener’s granulomatosis: a preliminary report

Abstract

Despite the fact that Wegener's granulomatosis affects the nasal and paranasal cavities and the cranial nerves regularly, chemosensory impairments have not been reported. The objective of this study is to test the three chemosensory systems, olfaction, taste, and intranasal trigeminal function in Wegener disease patients. We tested olfactory, gustatory, and intranasal trigeminal function in nine patients (5 women, 4 men, mean age 57 years) with confirmed Wegener's granulomatosis. Olfaction was tested with the Sniffin'Sticks, gustatory function with the "Taste strips" and intranasal trigeminal function with a lateralization task. One patient had anosmia (11%), four patients had hyposmia (44%) and four patients were normosmic (45%). Gustatory testing function showed pathological taste strip results in five patients (55%) and normal results in three patients (33%). One patient did not undergo taste testing. Intranasal trigeminal function was lowered in five patients (56%) and normal in four patients (44%). Neither previous nasal surgery status nor endoscopic status was associated to a higher frequency in pathological scores for any of the three chemical senses. In conclusion, these preliminary results suggest a consistent affection in chemosensory functions in Wegener's granulomatosis patients.