Electrogustometry and contact endoscopic findings in patients with
tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma and radiochemotherapy.
Abstract
Introduction: Aim is to investigate in parallel changes in
electrogustometric thresholds and in morphology of the fungiform
papillae as well as in shape and density of the vessels of the tip of
the tongue in patients with head and neck malignancy before and after
treated with radiochemotherapy. We have also studied whether the
observed changes in function and morphology may be reversible. Materials
and Methods: Eighteen patients with tonsil-cancer treated with
radiochemotherapy were prospectively studied. Measurements took place
before starting treatment and at the end of each cycle of chemotherapy.
Additional measurements were conducted two and four months after the end
of the therapy. Results: All patients showed alterations in form and
vascularization of fungiform Papillae (fPap). After the end of therapy
an improvement in the EGM-thresholds without immediate improvement in
the shape and vascularization of fungiform papillae was found. Two
months after the end of the therapy a minimally significant difference
in the EGM-thresholds measured on the tip of the tongue was shown. By
the second measurement we have noticed a little improvement of the
EGM-threshold, accompanied only by an improvement in the vascularization
of fPap. Conclusions: The improvement in taste acquity was not directly
accompanied by changes in vascularization of papillae and shape. The
last parameters seem to recover late in time.