1993 Volume 86 Issue 7 Pages 1033-1043
With the presumption that patients with abnormal sensation in the throat have a local abnormality in the pharynx or some sensory dysfunction, we tested the subjective threshold with EGM (electro gustmeter) and objective sensation with SEP (somatosensory evoked potential).
1) The subjective test of the posterior pharyngeal wall revealed significantly greater perception in the patients than in normal controls.
2) The subjective test in the glossopharyngeal region revealed similar results.
3) A two point discrimination test in the glosspharyngeal region revealed a significant decrease in the 10 dB range above the threshold in the patients.
4) No significant difference was noted between the patients and the controls in the SEP obtained by electrical stimulation of the glossopharyngeal region.
These results suggest a disturbance of pharyngeal peripheral sensation in patients with abnormal sensation in the throat. Thus, it appears that the mechanism of onset of sensation in the throat is similar to that of tinnitus and of phantom limb sensation.
