Taste disturbance post-tonsillectomy improved with zinc supplementation

Tyler A. Janz, MD; Nishat A. Momin, MD; Kirav P. Patel, BS; Shiva P. Daram, MD; Wasyl Szeremeta, MD; Harold S. Pine, MD

Otolaryngology Case Reports (Nov 2021)

Taste disturbance post-tonsillectomy improved with zinc supplementation

Tyler A. Janz, MD,
Nishat A. Momin, MD,
Kirav P. Patel, BS,
Shiva P. Daram, MD,
Wasyl Szeremeta, MD,
Harold S. Pine, MD

Affiliations

Tyler A. Janz, MD: Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Corresponding author.
Nishat A. Momin, MD: Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
Kirav P. Patel, BS: Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
Shiva P. Daram, MD: Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
Wasyl Szeremeta, MD: Children’s ENT of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
Harold S. Pine, MD: Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 21
p. 100382

Abstract

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Objective: To discuss taste disturbance after tonsillectomy and the role of zinc therapy in the treatment of post-tonsillectomy dysgeusia. Methods: We herein report a rare presentation of dysgeusia after an uncomplicated tonsillectomy in an 11-year-old girl which improved post-operatively shortly after starting zinc supplementation. Results: Taste disturbances after tonsillectomy, although rare, may be attributable to multiple causes ranging from inadvertent glossopharyngeal nerve damage during surgery to zinc deficiency. Atypical anatomical distributions of dysgeusia after tonsillectomy prompted the consideration of zinc deficiency as a possible cause of the patient's post-tonsillectomy dysgeusia. Conclusion: When evaluating potential causes of dysgeusia after tonsillectomy, otolaryngologists must be mindful of zinc deficiency as a potential contributing factor.

Published in Otolaryngology Case Reports

ISSN: 2468-5488 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Medicine: Otorhinolaryngology
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/otolaryngology-case-reports/

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