Dysgeusia and cholesteatoma

Objective: To describe an individual with cholesteatoma whose sole presenting symptom was dysgeusia. Study design: Case report. Method: A retrospective review of an individual presenting with dysgeusia without any hearing loss, otorrhea, or imbalance who was found to have chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma. Result: Surgical exploration confirmed the presence of cholesteatoma and identified an intact but attenuated chorda tympani nerve. The dysgeusia persisted after surgery. Conclusion: The anatomical course of the chorda tympani and the usual routes of expansion of cholesteatoma sacs indicates a higher incidence of dysgeusia with cholesteatoma. Further elucidation is necessary to determine the true incidence of this complaint with cholesteatoma.