Frey's syndrome (auriculotemporal syndrome) is a well-known complication following which procedure?

• A Parotidectomy ✓
• B Submandibular gland excision
• C Radical neck dissection
• D Sublingual gland removal

Explanation

Frey's syndrome occurs after parotidectomy when the severed parasympathetic secretomotor fibres (from auriculotemporal nerve) aberrantly reinnervate cutaneous sympathetic sweat glands in the overlying skin, resulting in gustatory sweating (sweating and flushing in the preauricular region during eating). The auriculotemporal nerve carries parasympathetic fibres from the otic ganglion to the parotid gland. It does not occur after submandibular or sublingual gland surgery (which involves the chorda tympani/lingual nerve pathway).

Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.