Author(s)
Adeline Fecker, BS
Matt Studer
R. Peter Manes, MD, FARS
Sacit Bulent Omay
Kara Detwiller, MD, FARS
Timothy Smith, MD, FARS
Peter Andersen, MD
Olabisi Sanusi, MD
Kelly Collins, MD
Mathew Geltzeiler, MD, FARS
Ryan Rimmer, MD
Affiliation(s)
Oregon Health and Science University; Yale University;
Abstract:
Introduction: Endonasal endoscopic (EEA) resection of olfactory groove meningioma (OGM) requires resection of the olfactory mucosa which results in post-operative anosmia and associated reduction in patients’ quality of life. The incidence of changes in taste, however, is not well established despite the close neuroanatomical relationship between olfaction and gustation.
Methods: We administered a validated taste and smell survey after endonasal resection where all the olfactory mucosa was resected endoscopically, and ethmoid skull base was reconstructed with a vascularized flap. Relevant demographic and medical history were collected. Tumor size and laterality were determined from the radiology report of preoperative imaging and the operative note.
Results: Eight (N=8) OGM patients responded to the survey. 100% of patients reported a change in sense of smell while only 37% reported a change in sense of taste. The median time from surgery was 14 months [4 - 48]. Significant heterogeneity existed when rating severity of symptoms though most patients did not rate their abnormal taste or abnormal smell as “severe to debilitating.” Taste coinciding with smell complaints did not consistently associate with laterality or size of the neoplasm. None of the patients had a history of diabetes or preoperative covid infection. One patient had history of chronic rhinitis but had low score in both taste and smell.
Conclusions: To our knowledge this is the first case series examining taste changes after EEA resection of OGM. The olfactory apparatus was fully resected, so all patients were anomic. Abnormal taste or loss of taste is a result of anosmia, but we found that the quality and severity vary greatly between patients.