Improvement of dysgeusia after thymectomy with thymoma.
(1/22)
We present a case of 39-year-old woman with thymoma complaining of dysgeusia. This patient had suffered from dysgeusia for the previous 6 months. Thymectomy with the thymoma was performed, and her dysgeusia was improved within 6 months after the operation. The anti-acetylcholine-receptor antibody was reduced from 0.9 nmol/l to 0.4 nmol/l (normal: below 0.6 nmol/l) by the surgical intervention. This case suggested that symptoms of dysgeusia can be associated with myasthenic status. (+info)
Prevention and treatment of the consequences of head and neck radiotherapy.
(2/22)
The location of the primary tumor or lymph node metastases dictates the inclusion of the oral cavity, salivary glands, and jaws in the radiation treatment portals for patients who have head and neck cancer. The clinical sequelae of the radiation treatment include mucositis, hyposalivation, loss of taste, osteoradionecrosis, radiation caries, and trismus. These sequelae may be dose-limiting and have a tremendous effect on the patient's quality of life. Most treatment protocols to prevent these sequelae are still based on clinical experience, but alternatives based on fundamental basic and clinical research are becoming more and more available. Many of these alternatives either need further study before they can be incorporated into the protocols commonly used to prevent and treat the radiation-related oral sequelae or await implementation of these protocols. In this review, the various possibilities for prevention and/or treatment of radiation-induced changes in healthy oral tissues and their consequences are discussed. (+info)
The effect of education in managing side effects in women receiving chemotherapy for treatment of breast cancer.
(3/22)
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of informational audiotapes on self-care behaviors, state anxiety, and use of self-care behaviors; to describe the occurrence and intensity of common side effects in patients with breast cancer. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. SETTING: Outpatient chemotherapy clinics operated by a university center in a rural area. SAMPLE: 70 women receiving their first treatment of chemotherapy. METHODS: Subjects completed demographic data and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety instrument (stai). The experimental group received two audiotapes. At one and three months, subjects completed the modified nail self-care diary and stai via telephone. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: State anxiety, side-effect severity, and use and efficacy of self-care behaviors. FINDINGS: The most frequent side effects were fatigue, nausea and vomiting, and taste change. The experimental group reported symptom improvements that were not found in the control group. The experimental group increased the use of recommended self-care behaviors, whereas the control group continued to use the same self-care behaviors without effectiveness. State anxiety for both groups diminished over time; however, anxiety in the control group was consistently higher. CONCLUSIONS: Audiotapes are effective teaching tools. Self-care behaviors can be taught and can be effective in managing side effects. Anxiety was high in both groups, but the symptom decreased in the women who received audiotapes and telephone calls. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Constraints on nurses decrease the length of teaching time available, but audiotapes provide effective teaching and reinforcement of education. Anxiety in clinical environments interferes with patient learning. Teaching effective self-care behaviors enhances patients' independence, comfort, control, and quality of life. (+info)
Unpleasant sweet taste: a symptom of SIADH caused by lung cancer.
(4/22)
A 56 year old woman with large cell lung carcinoma complained of an unpleasant sweet taste (dysgeusia). She developed hyponatraemia caused by the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). Dysgeusia disappeared when serum sodium normalised and recurred when hyponatraemia relapsed. Dysgeusia was the initial and only symptom of SIADH in this case. (+info)
Vernakalant hydrochloride for rapid conversion of atrial fibrillation: a phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
(5/22)
Prevention of docetaxel- or paclitaxel-associated taste alterations in cancer patients with oral glutamine: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.
(6/22)
Dysgeusia limited to sweet taste in myasthenia gravis.
(7/22)
Total dysgeusia, an inability to interpret all of the basic tastes, often occurs with zinc deficiency. Partial dysgeusia (dissociation dysgeusia) is a rare inability to interpret a limited number of these basic tastes. We present the case of a patient with myasthenia gravis who became unable to discern sweet taste, but other basic tastes were unaffected. Such dysgeusia can be explained by obstruction of selective taste receptors in taste cells. We considered that this symptom was induced by an autoimmune mechanism related to myasthenia gravis. (+info)
A primary large cholesterol cyst of the mastoid presenting with dysgeusia.
(8/22)
The occurrence of postoperative secondary cholesterol cysts in the mastoid has been previously reported, however the occurrence of a primary large cholesterol cyst in the mastoid with bony destruction of the facial nerve has rarely been reported. The case report of a 17-year-old female patient with a primary large cholesterol cyst with dysgeusia is presented. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings for the lesion distinguish a cholesterol granuloma, cholesteatoma and vascular tumor. The patient underwent a canal wall down mastoidectomy with mastoid obliteration. A dehiscent portion of the mastoid segment of the facial nerve was visible within the cavity; the gross finding of the facial nerve was edematous in appearance. Five years later, there has been no recurrence of disease. (+info)