What Causes Altered Sense Of Taste In A Person With Sarcoidosis?
Question: I have sarcoidosis that had affected my eyes and 7th nerve. When it flares up I can only taste artificial blueberry. My parotid glands are usually quite swollen. Lately I've been smelling gasoline constantly. It's all I can smell. Could this be a symptom of my sarcoidosis flaring up? Or something else? Sinusitis perhaps?
Brief Answer:
MRI to rule out a possible flare up
Detailed Answer:
Hello. I have been through your question and understand your concern.
Sarcoidosis as you know involves the brain in only 10% of the cases. If there is a hystological diagnosis of sarcoidosis you might expect recurrent symptoms or even new ones due to an eventual progression of the disease.
Your symptoms might be explained by a banal sinusitis with difficulty in smelling, BUT since there is a tropism for the cranial nerves (sight and seventh cranial nerve) you should rule out an olfactory nerve involvement.
Thus, I recommend a cerebral MRI to better evaluate the situation
Wish you the best health.
Regards, Geldon Fejzo MD
MRI to rule out a possible flare up
Detailed Answer:
Hello. I have been through your question and understand your concern.
Sarcoidosis as you know involves the brain in only 10% of the cases. If there is a hystological diagnosis of sarcoidosis you might expect recurrent symptoms or even new ones due to an eventual progression of the disease.
Your symptoms might be explained by a banal sinusitis with difficulty in smelling, BUT since there is a tropism for the cranial nerves (sight and seventh cranial nerve) you should rule out an olfactory nerve involvement.
Thus, I recommend a cerebral MRI to better evaluate the situation
Wish you the best health.
Regards, Geldon Fejzo MD
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T