Marathon of eponyms: 6 Frey syndrome (Gustatory sweating)

NOMENs land: The place of eponyms in the anatomy classroom

The law of Non-Original Malappropriate Eponymous Nomenclature (NOMEN) states that no phenomenon is named after its discoverer. However, eponymous terms are rife in the anatomical and medical literature. In this viewpoint commentary, the authors discuss the history of anatomical eponyms, explain the additional cognitive load imposed by eponyms that can negatively impact student learning and explore the view that eponyms are "pale, male and stale" in the socially conscious 21st century. The authors probe two of the most common arguments used to keep eponyms in anatomy education: (1) clinicians use them because they are easy, and (2) eponyms remind us of anatomy's history. Educators, clinicians and students need to work together to progress this movement and bring a modern lens to this discussion. Based on the arguments presented in this commentary, the authors propose that eponyms should be removed from anatomy curricula, textbooks and have no place in the anatomy classroom.

Recurring Facial Erythema in an Infant

Causes of facial rashes and erythema in infants are many but rarely only happen during feeding times which are commonly and sometimes wrongly attributed to food allergy. There is a rare condition called Auriculotemporal nerve syndrome that is characterized by recurrent episodes of gustatory facial flushing and sweating along the cutaneous distribution of Auriculotemporal nerve: the so-called Frey syndrome. This condition is most frequently observed in adults usually after parotid surgery. It is rare in children and is mostly attributed to forceps assisted delivery. It can also be misinterpreted as food allergy. Here we report a case of an infant with Frey syndrome without any history of perinatal trauma, which was considered initially as food allergy and highlights the importance of distinguishing it from food allergy.

Frey Syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To describe the features of Frey syndrome (auriculotemporal nerve dysfunction with gustatory flushing) in childhood.

STUDY DESIGN

A multicenter, retrospective, descriptive observational national case series study was conducted with the help of French academic societies. Diagnostic criteria were based on clinical history, and sometimes also on photographs or provocation tests.

RESULTS

Forty-eight cases were identified, with 2 subtypes: 35 unilateral and 13 bilateral. Associated sweating was reported in only 10% of cases. Diagnosis was made in only 20% of children at the first consultation and inappropriate dietary restriction was prescribed for 21%. Instrumented vaginal delivery was significantly associated with unilateral forms (OR [unilateral vs bilateral] = 29; 95% CI 3.99-311.58; P < .001). The outcome was favorable overall with 57% regression, 20% recovery, and only 23% persistence of initial symptoms. Regression was more frequent in unilateral forms (OR = 6.60; 95% CI 1.23-44.04; P = .016), observed in 69% of unilateral forms at a median age of 27 (24-48) months. Recovery predominated in bilateral forms (OR = 0.05; 95% CI 0-0.38; P = .001), observed in 58% of bilateral cases at a median age of 8 (7-9) months.

CONCLUSIONS

Frey syndrome in childhood is a rare but benign condition with mild symptoms and a favorable outcome in most cases. Unilateral forms are mostly associated with instrumented delivery. Pediatricians should be familiar with this disorder in order to avoid misdiagnosis, mainly as food allergy, and unnecessary referrals and tests.

Frey's Syndrome After Herpes Zoster Virus Infection in a 2-Year-Old Girl

Frey's syndrome is characterized by sweating and flushing in the temporal and preauricular areas after a salivary stimulus. It is caused by damage to the auriculotemporal nerve, hence the alternative name of auriculotemporal syndrome. We report the case of a 2-year-old girl presenting with postprandial unilateral flushing that developed after a herpes zoster infection.

Frey's syndrome: diagnosis in geriatric dentistry

Frey's syndrome, is characterized by warmth, flushing and sweating of the face, most of time in the preauricular region, initiated by any gustatory stimulus. It is frequently related to parotid surgery. A case of Frey's syndrome in a 81-year-old female whose long-delayed clinical onset post-parotidectomy is presented.

Delayed Frey syndrome after closed treatment of condylar fracture

Frey syndrome is also known as auriculotemporal syndrome and gustatory sweating. It is characterized by the occurrence of hyperesthesia, flushing, and warmth or sweating over the distribution of the auriculotemporal nerve and/or greater auricular nerve while eating foods that produce a strong salivary stimulus. It is commonly seen as a complication of parotidectomy and open surgery of temporomandibular joint. It can also be caused by other forms of trauma, including blunt trauma, but rarely does it occur without trauma. The relation between fracture displacement of the condyle and Frey syndrome adds further support to the view of the intimate anatomic relationship of the auriculotemporal nerve with the capsule of the temporomandibular joint. However, despite the proximity of these structures and the high incidence of condylar fracture (25%-36% of mandibular fractures), Frey syndrome is rare after this type of fracture. Symptoms are sometimes delayed and can be very slight; often neither the patient nor the surgeon realizes their presence. The symptoms usually appear 5 weeks to 1 year after nerve damage.In this clinical report, we presented the delayed occurrence of Frey syndrome in a patient in 6 years after closed reduction of condylar fracture. One prospective study and 11 case reports describing the development of Frey syndrome after closed treatment of mandibular condyle fractures were found in the last 4 decades. Our clinical report participates to literature as a 12th case report.

Lucja Frey (1889–1942): life destroyed by the Holocaust--on the 70th anniversary of her death

Lucja Frey was the first to explain the pathogenesis of the auriculotemporal syndrome, and the syndrome is recognized today as the Frey syndrome. Patients with this disease are subjected to paroxysmal paraesthesia of half of the face combined with sweating and redness. This syndrome can be found in the differential diagnosis of contemporary dermatology. Among others, it is differentiated from food allergies. The life and scientific career of Lucja Frey was brutally interrupted by the tragic times of the Holocaust.

Perioral gustatory sweating: case report

OBJECTIVE

Presentation of a case of perioral Frey syndrome.

DESIGN

Case report.

SUBJECT

A 72-year-old woman with hyperhidrosis around the mouth and chin.

RESULTS

This patient suffered from bilateral perioral gustatory sweating following a mandibular osteotomy; such a case has not previously been described. Possible pathophysiological hypotheses are discussed in relation to the anatomy and innervation of the salivary glands.

CONCLUSION

Perioral gustatory sweating is a rare complication of osteotomy.