Galvanic skin response test: A new quantitative diagnostic method for frey syndrome

Abstract

Objective: Frey syndrome is one of the most common complications following parotid surgery. The current most common test for objectively diagnosing Frey syndrome is Minor starch-iodine test. This test might be insufficient because its results are not quantitative and therefore tests with quantitative results are investigated. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficiency of galvanic skin response (GSR) test, which measures changes in skin resistance, as a method with quantitative results for diagnosis of Frey syndrome.

Methods: Thirty patients who underwent superficial parotidectomy were assessed postoperatively (mean, 24.7 +/- 25.7 months; range, 6-109 months). Patients completed a symptomatic evaluation questionnaire and underwent Minor starch-iodine test and GSR.

Results: Diagnostic validity of GSR test was found to be >2.91 following analysis. Sensitivity and specificity of this value were 100% and 55%, respectively, based on symptomatic assessment. Sensitivity and specificity were 87.5% and 57.1%, respectively, based on Minor starch-iodine test.

Conclusions: When compared to symptomatic evaluation of patients who underwent superficial parotidectomy, GSR test was shown to be 100% sensitive in diagnosing Frey syndrome and quantitative results of GSR test could determine severity of Frey syndrome.