STUDIO DELLA VARIABILITA' DELLA SOGLIA ELETTROGUSTATIVA NEI SOGGETTI SANI

Electrogustative (E.G.) threshold evaluation in 7th nerve palsy is very important in identifying the location of the nerve lesion. The prognostic significance of this test in Bell's palsy has been reviewed referring to the reappearance of tasfe which preceeded the recovery of fa' cial muscle movement. Correct evaluation of the threshold should take into consideration varia- tions depending on age and other factors. To date many have pointed out the link between thres- hold and age, but the data reported do not seem quantitatively homogeneous. Threshold elevation has been imputed to smoke and, perhaps, alcohol. Thus a threshold evaluation in a series of non smokers and non drinkers was carried out. These were compared to a group of smokers and a group of heavy drinkers consuming various quantities of alcohol' E.G. thresholds obtained varied within a wide range for all groups. It was confirmed that taste capability progressively worsened with age. A relationship between threshold elevation and the number of cigarettes smoked was observed and this was statistically significant for those subjecÎs smoking more than 20 cigarettes a day. However, the length of the time over which a subject had been smoking was not significant, In heavy drinkers the gustative threshold was considerably ele' vated and was statistically significant when this group was compared to normal subjects. Both methodology and clinical indications are reported. The use of a logarithmic scale to plot - E.G. values is suggested. For clinical use the relative rafio, expressed in percentage difference, between the threshold of the two sides of the tongue is preferred. The authors feel such a difference may be considered pathological at 75s/0. The influence age, smoke and, perhaps, alcohol exert is believed to be of primary'importance and must be considered when determining the normal limits of electrogusto' metry (E.G.M.).