Frey’s Syndrome as an Unusual Consequence of Surgery for TMJ Ankylosis
Published: 2020-07-03
Page: 101-106
Issue: 2020 - Volume 3 [Issue 1]
Aritra Chatterjee *
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dr. R. Ahmed Dental College and Hospital, Kolkata, India.
Subhasish Burman
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dr. R. Ahmed Dental College and Hospital, Kolkata, India.
Soumen Mandal
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dr. R. Ahmed Dental College and Hospital, Kolkata, India.
Abira Chattopadhyay
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dr. R. Ahmed Dental College and Hospital, Kolkata, India.
Md. Arif Hossain
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dr. R. Ahmed Dental College and Hospital, Kolkata, India.
Debabrata Gayen
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dr. R. Ahmed Dental College and Hospital, Kolkata, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Frey’s syndrome is a rare, unwanted complication of surgery/injury to the parotid gland, occasionally seen following surgery in the temporomandibular joint region, neck dissection and faces lift procedures. It is characterised by sweating, flushing and a sense of warmth over the distribution of the auriculotemporal nerve and/or greater auricular nerve while eating foods that produce a strong salivary stimulus. As a result this can be a source of great discomfort and embarrassment to the patient. Here, we present a case of Frey’s Syndrome which developed after an inter positional arthroplasty in the right TMJ region. In the follow up period he reported to us with complaints suggestive of gustatory sweating. A positive Minor’s Starch Iodine test confirmed the diagnosis. We reassured him and also mentioned the treatment options available. The symptoms being mild, he decided on no further interventions. The literature does not speak much of such a complication arising after surgery for TMJ ankylosis. This case should be an eye opener for many surgeons as to the possibilities of Frey’s syndrome developing after such surgeries and the means to manage them.
Keywords: Frey’s syndrome, TMJ surgery, ankylosis, complication