Fisher Syndrome with Taste Impairment

Abstract

A 60-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with a two day history of truncal ataxia and diplopia. Three days after admission, complete paresis of eye movements, left ptosis, taste impairment and absence of deep tendon reflexes appeared. The patient displayed normal facial movements; however, she reported decreased sensations of sweet and salty tastes. Anti-GQ1b antibodies were detected in the serum, and Fisher syndrome was therefore diagnosed. Intravenous immunoglobulin was administered starting five days after admission, with limitations of eye movements, areflexia and taste impairment showing improvements by 12 days after onset. Taste disturbance is rare in patients with Fisher syndrome. In this case, we hypothesize that autoantibodies may have targeted antigens in the chorda tympani, glossopharyngeal nerve or taste buds.