Olfactory and Gustatory Dysfunction, Dysphagia and Dysphonia after Burns

Introduction The impact of facial burn injury on olfactory, gustatory and laryngeal functioning has not yet been described systematically. In this study the prevalence of hyposmia and hypogeusia in patients with acute facial burns (AFB) was determined before discharge from acute treatment. Moreover, we evaluated their subjective experience of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction, dysphagia, dysphonia and quality of life.

Methods Patients with AFB were included and underwent examination by means of the “Sniffin-Stick-Test “(SnSt, identification test, 12 pens) including taste strips (identification test, 4 strips) to quantify the prevalence of hyposmia and hypogeusia. Their experience of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction, dysphonia (Voice Handicap Index, VHI) and dysphagia (gEAT-10) was assessed with questionnaires.

Results Since June 2019, 23 patients with AFB (40± 14; 21 males; 2 inhalation injury) were included. Olfactory testing revealed a prevalence of hyposmia in 43,5 % (n = 10/23) patients with facial burns upon discharge. In this group, three patients noticed a subjective impairment of olfactory functioning. Hypogeusia was shown in 39,1 % (n = 9/23), one of the patients experienced compromised gustatory function. One patient had dysphagia according to gEAT-10 (0, IQR = 0,25). One patient had a pathological VHI (3, IQR = 6). All patients with inhalation injury had a pathological SnSt and showed gustatory impairment.

Discussion: This study is the first to systematically describe an unexpected prevalence of hyposmia and hypogeusia after facial burns, with relatively little subjective impairment. As shown through gEAT-10 and VHI laryngeal function seems to be largely unaffected. Longitudinal intraindividual follow up will determine the permanence of these findings.

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Publication History

Article published online:
10 June 2020