Frey syndrome
Pronunciation: FRY SIN-drome
Abnormal sweating and flushing in the preauricular region during eating following parotidectomy. Results from aberrant nerve regeneration.
Full Definition
A well-recognized complication following parotidectomy characterized by abnormal sweating and flushing of the skin in the preauricular region during gustatory stimulation (eating or thinking about food). Also known as gustatory sweating or auriculotemporal syndrome, this condition results from aberrant regeneration of severed parasympathetic fibers originally destined for the parotid gland. Instead of innervating salivary tissue, these fibers misdirect to innervate sweat glands and cutaneous blood vessels in the overlying skin. The syndrome is named after Łucja Frey, a Polish neurologist who first described it in 1923. Symptoms typically develop 3-6 months after surgery and can be confirmed with Minor's starch-iodine test, which demonstrates the area of abnormal sweating. Treatment options include topical antiperspirants, botulinum toxin injections, or surgical techniques to prevent nerve regeneration such as interposition of tissue barriers during the initial parotidectomy.
Usage
Usage note: Named after neurologist Łucja Frey; document severity and impact on quality of life.
In Context
- "The patient developed Frey syndrome six months after parotidectomy, with noticeable sweating over the surgical site during meals." — Follow-up clinic note
- "Minor's starch-iodine test confirmed the diagnosis of Frey syndrome with a clearly demarcated area of gustatory sweating." — Diagnostic evaluation