Smell and taste in patients with vascular malformation of the extracranial head and neck region.

Background: Olfactory and gustatory functions have not been investigated in patients with vascular malformation of the extracranial head and neck region with validated smell and taste tests. Although olfactory and gustatory deficiencies are often not outwardly apparent, they substantially affect daily life.

Methods: Smell and taste tests using sniffin sticks and taste strips were administered in 40 patients.

Results: For all age groups and both sexes, odor threshold (THR) values were, on average, lower in patients than in healthy individuals; whereas, values of odor identification and discrimination were not significantly lower. Regarding odor THR, 33 (82.5%) patients were hyposmic. Taste values (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and total taste) were, on average, lower in patients than in healthy individuals; 21 (52.5%) patients were hypogeusic. Disease duration did not correlate with smell and taste test values. Patients with and without tongue involvement had decreased odor threshold and taste values. No significant differences were identified when taste values on the left and right sides of the tongue were compared in patients without tongue involvement and with unilateral and bilateral tongue involvement. Patients with venous malformations had lower smell test values, and patients with lymphatic malformations had lower taste test values than patients with other malformations.

Conclusion: Patients exhibit significantly reduced olfactory and gustatory function even when the nose and/or tongue are not malformed. Patients should be tested with validated smell and taste tests to adequately inform and advise them about overcoming smell and taste deficits.