New Objective and Quantitative Tests for Gustatory Sweating

Abstract

Two newly developed tests for gustatory sweating, providing both quantitative and topographic information, are presented. In both tests a paper stencil shaped to fit the complex anatomy of the parotid region is used. The blotting paper technique uses the difference in weight before and after gustatory stimulation to measure the amount of sweating. The iodine-sublimated paper histogram (ISPH) uses iodine sublimated office paper that changes colour when wet. The paper stencil is than digitized and a histogram algorithm applied to measure the area of sweating. A calibration of these tests with known and appropriate quantities of saline is presented.