Details of the Researcher

PHOTO

Yusuke Shimada
Section
Tohoku University Hospital
Job title
Assistant Professor
Degree
e-Rad No.
60789163

Research History 6

  • 2024/10 - Present
    東北大学病院　病院（歯科診療部門） 顎口腔画像診断科　助教

  • 2022/07 - 2024/09
    東北大学大学院 歯学研究科　歯科医用情報学分野　助教

  • 2021/04 - 2022/06
    東北大学病院　病院（歯科診療部門） 顎口腔画像診断科　助教

  • 2020/04 - 2021/03
    東北大学病院　口腔診断科　助教

  • 2016/04 - 2020/03
    東北大学病院　口腔診断科　医員

  • 2011/04 - 2012/03
    東北大学病院　歯科医師臨床研修

Show all Show first 5

Education 2

  • Tohoku University　Graduate School of Dentistry

    2012/04 - 2016/03

  • Meikai University　School of Dentistry

    2005/04 - 2011/03

Research Interests 2

  • 歯科放射線学

  • 画像診断

Research Areas 2

  • Life sciences / Radiology /

  • Life sciences / Oral medicine (pathology) /

Papers 14

  1. Maxillo-facial Radiographic Images of a Chronic Kidney Disease Patient with Calcification of Facial Arteries Peer-reviewed

    Shimada Yusuke, Kojima Ikuho, Iikubo Masahiro

    Shika Hoshasen　64　(2)　57-59　2025

    Publisher: Japanese Society for Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology

    DOI： 10.11242/dentalradiology.64.57 　

    ISSN： 0389-9705

    eISSN： 2185-6311

  2. Temporomandibular joint ankylosis suspected to be associated with ankylosing spondylitis based on cervical computed tomography images: A pictorial essay. International-journal Peer-reviewed

    Ikuho Kojima, Shinnosuke Nogami, Shin Hitachi, Yusuke Shimada, Yushi Ezoe, Yuka Yokoyama-Sato, Masahiro Iikubo

    Imaging science in dentistry　54　(2)　201-206　2024/06

    DOI： 10.5624/isd.20230243 　

    More details Close

    This report showed a case of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis suspected to be associated with ankylosing spondylitis based on the observation of bony ankylosis of the cervical spine on computed tomography (CT) images. A 53-year-old man presented with a chief complaint of difficulty in opening his mouth. His medical history indicated that in his 20s, he became aware of the difficulty in moving his neck. CT revealed marked osteoarthritic changes in the right mandibular condyle, suggesting fibrotic TMJ ankylosis. In addition, bony ankylosis of the cervical vertebral body and facet joints from the axis (C2) to C5 in continuity was observed. CT of the entire spine also showed bony deformity of the sacroiliac joints and bony ankylosis. Based on these findings, ankylosing spondylitis was suspected. The possibility of an ankylosing spondylitis complication should be considered in cases of TMJ ankylosis if bony ankylosis of the cervical spine is observed.

  3. Imaging findings of arrested pneumatisation and differentiation from other skull base lesions. International-journal Peer-reviewed

    Ikuho Kojima, Yusuke Shimada, Naoko Watanabe, Kentaro Takanami, Yohei Morishita, Akira Ohkoshi, Masahiro Iikubo

    Dento maxillo facial radiology　52　(8)　20230297-20230297　2023/11

    DOI： 10.1259/dmfr.20230297 　

    More details Close

    OBJECTIVES: Arrested pneumatisation (AP) is an anatomic variant of the sphenoid sinus. Since AP remains underrecognised, otolaryngologists and radiologists may mistake AP for a lesion and perform follow-up imaging studies. We investigated the imaging findings of CT, MRI, and F-18 fludeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) for AP, and discussed the differences between AP and other skull base lesions. METHODS: We reviewed multidetector low CT imaging of 442 patients (285 men and 157 women; age range, 19-93 years; mean age, 67.8 years) who underwent FDG-PET/CT for head and neck tumours between January 2019 and December 2019. The imaging findings of AP were reviewed on CT, MRI, FDG-PET/CT, and compared with those of fibrous dysplasia, chordoma, chondrosarcoma, multiple myeloma, and bone invasion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. RESULTS: AP was identified in 22 patients (14 men and 8 women; age range, 24-93 years; mean age, 67.0 years) based on criteria from previous reports. AP manifested with well-circumscribed sclerotic margins on CT, without evidence of expansion. AP showed high-signal intensity on T1-/T2 weighted MRI. FDG-PET revealed non-significant uptake [maximum standardised uptake value (SUVmax): 0.85 (range, 0.4-1.27)] in AP. Contrastingly, skull base lesions showed expansion, poorly circumscribed boundaries without osteosclerotic margins, and moderate-to-severe FDG uptake (SUVmax: 1.8-8.4). CONCLUSIONS: The characteristic imaging findings of AP, namely non-expansile on CT and non-uptake on FDG-PET, may aid in its differentiation from other skull base lesions.

  4. パノラマX線画像から中頭蓋窩左側部の病変を指摘できた線維性異形成症の1例 Peer-reviewed

    横山 由加, 渡辺 尚子, 小嶋 郁穂, 嶋田 雄介, 菅井 優生, 武田 裕利, 千葉 雅俊, 高橋 哲, 飯久保 正弘

    歯科放射線　62　(2)　99-103　2023/03

    Publisher: (NPO)日本歯科放射線学会

    ISSN： 0389-9705

    eISSN： 2185-6311

  5. Root canal narrowing patterns of mandibular first premolars on panoramic radiographs according to the number of root canals diagnosed on cone beam computed tomographic images. Peer-reviewed

    Yusuke Shimada, Ikuho Kojima, Takashi Nishioka, Maya Sakamoto, Masahiro Iikubo

    Odontology　111　(1)　172-177　2023/01

    DOI： 10.1007/s10266-022-00713-9 　

    More details Close

    Understanding the variations in root canal morphology is important for successful endodontic treatment. Mandibular first premolars have a single root in 98% of cases, and multiple root canals are found in approximately 20% of cases. However, the details of these characteristic findings in panoramic radiography and their diagnostic accuracy are unknown. This study aimed to investigate the characteristic radiographic findings of mandibular first premolars possessing multiple root canals and determine the diagnostic accuracy using panoramic radiography. Four radiologists evaluated 347 mandibular first premolars in 186 patients who underwent panoramic radiography and dental cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Two radiologists confirmed the existence of single or multiple root canals using CBCT. The remaining two radiologists evaluated the imaging findings of the root canal morphology and classified them into two patterns: gradual narrowing and sudden narrowing. In the case of the sudden narrowing pattern, the location of sudden narrowing was also evaluated. A gradual narrowing pattern was observed in 56% of teeth with a single root canal, and a sudden narrowing pattern was observed in 83% of teeth with multiple root canals. When sudden narrowing between the cervical and apical 1/4 of the root canal was used as the diagnostic criterion for multiple root canal teeth, the highest diagnostic performance was observed (sensitivity, 76.1%; specificity, 73.9%). The sudden narrowing between the cervical level and the apical 1/4 level of the root canal is a practical diagnostic criterion for mandibular first premolar with multiple root canals.

  6. 全顎的な歯髄腔の狭窄がみられたステロイド長期使用患者のX線画像 Peer-reviewed

    渡辺 尚子, 横山 由加, 小嶋 郁穂, 嶋田 雄介, 後藤 弓里子, 泉田 一賢, 熊坂 晃, 飯久保 正弘

    歯科放射線　62　(1)　39-42　2022/09

    Publisher: (NPO)日本歯科放射線学会

    ISSN： 0389-9705

    eISSN： 2185-6311

  7. Comparative Study of Multiple High-Signal-Intensity Spots on 3D and 2D Magnetic Resonance Sialography for Patients with Sjögren’s Syndrome International-journal Peer-reviewed

    Yusuke Shimada, Ikuho Kojima, Masahiro Iikubo, André Luiz Ferreira Costa

    Radiology Research and Practice　2021　5846637-5846637　2021/12/26

    DOI： 10.1155/2021/5846637 　

    More details Close

    We investigated the sensitivities of 2-dimensional (2D) magnetic resonance sialography (MR-S) and unilateral sagittal and axial 3-dimensional (3D) MR-S using a surface coil and their combination in diagnosing patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS). We retrospectively analyzed the 3D and 2D MR-S results of 78 patients with SS. We evaluated the sensitivities of multiple high-signal-intensity spots and staging on MR sialograms and analyzed the efficient imaging methods and cross section for diagnosing patients with SS. The sensitivities of MR-S for detecting abnormal findings (i.e., MR-S stage 1 or higher) were as follows: 65 cases (83.3% [95% confidence interval (CI): 73.2-90.8]) for unilateral sagittal 3D MR-S; 62 cases (79.4% [95% CI: 68.8-87.8]) for axial 3D MR-S; 66 cases (84.6% [95% CI: 74.7-91.8]) for combined unilateral sagittal and axial 3D MR-S; and 32 cases (41.0% [95% CI: 30.0-52.7]) for bilateral sagittal 2D MR-S. The ratio of the abnormal finding of MR-S was tested using the two-tailed Fisher's exact test. Unilateral sagittal, axial, and combined unilateral sagittal and axial 3D MR-S showed significantly higher sensitivity than bilateral sagittal 2D MR-S, respectively (P < 0.001). Most cases upstaged by 3D MR-S were those positive (stage 1 or higher) among the stage 0 cases detected by 2D MR-S. Axial 3D MR-S, compared with 2D MR-S, understaged four cases, which was due to the imaging range of the axial 3D MR-S. We concluded that a single unilateral sagittal 3D MR-S was sufficient and axial 3D MR-S was unnecessary for SS staging. T1- and T2-weighted images are essential for investigating the salivary glands in patients with SS. Therefore, we also concluded that bilateral sagittal 3D MR-S of the parotid glands in addition to T1- and T2-weighted imaging is necessary, sufficient, and most efficient for precise MR imaging examination of the salivary glands, including diagnosing SS.

  8. 嚢胞成分を有する腫瘍との鑑別が困難であった耳下腺導管嚢胞の1例 Peer-reviewed

    西岡 貴志, 小川 武則, 村田 隆紀, 小嶋 郁穂, 嶋田 雄介, 飯久保 正弘, 阪本 真弥

    歯科放射線　60　(1)　24-26　2020/09

    Publisher: (NPO)日本歯科放射線学会

    ISSN： 0389-9705

    eISSN： 2185-6311

  9. Relationship of MR imaging of submandibular glands to hyposalivation in Sjögren's syndrome Peer-reviewed

    Ikuho Kojima, Maya Sakamoto, Masahiro Iikubo, Yusuke Shimada, Takashi Nishioka, Takashi Sasano

    Oral Diseases　25　(1)　117-125　2019/01

    DOI： 10.1111/odi.12941 　

    ISSN： 1354-523X

    eISSN： 1601-0825

  10. SCN2B in the Rat Trigeminal Ganglion and Trigeminal Sensory Nuclei Peer-reviewed

    Yusuke Shimada, Tadasu Sato, Takehiro Yajima, Masatoshi Fujita, Naoya Hashimoto, Noriaki Shoji, Takashi Sasano, Hiroyuki Ichikawa

    CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY　36　(8)　1399-1408　2016/11

    DOI： 10.1007/s10571-016-0340-9 　

    ISSN： 0272-4340

    eISSN： 1573-6830

  11. SPARCL1-containing neurons in the human brainstem and sensory ganglion Peer-reviewed

    Naoya Hashimoto, Tadasu Sato, Takehiro Yajima, Masatoshi Fujita, Ayumi Sato, Yoshinaka Shimizu, Yusuke Shimada, Noriaki Shoji, Takashi Sasano, Hiroyuki Ichikawa

    SOMATOSENSORY AND MOTOR RESEARCH　33　(2)　112-117　2016/06

    DOI： 10.1080/08990220.2016.1197115 　

    ISSN： 0899-0220

    eISSN： 1369-1651

  12. Trends of Outpatients in Tohoku University Dental Hospital Peer-reviewed

    AZUSA SAKAI, MASAHIRO IIKUBO, YUSUKE SHIMADA, NAOYA HASHIMOTO, AKIRA KUMASAKA, MAKOTO SASAKI, YU ENDO, IKUHO KOJIMA, NORIAKI SHOJI, TAKASHI SASANO

    Japanese Journal of Oral Diagnosis / Oral Medicine　27　(1)　7-12　2014/02

    Publisher: The Japanese Society of Oral Diagnosis/Oral Medicine

    DOI： 10.15214/jsodom.27.7 　

    ISSN： 0914-9694 2188-2843

    More details Close

    大学病院歯科部門を受診した外来患者1169名(初診110名・再診1059名)に対し、臨床研修および臨床教育に関するアンケート調査を行った。来院理由は、30歳代以下および初診患者で「他の病院からの紹介」が最も多く、40歳代以上および再診患者は「安心した治療を受けたい」であった。研修医および学生が診療や見学に係ることに対しては、70歳代以外は「見学に協力できる」が最も多く、「一切協力したくない」は各年代ともごく僅かで、再診患者は初診患者に比較して有意に少なかった。研修医および学生の臨床教育に係る時間に関しては、50歳代以下では「30分以内」「できるだけ短く」が半数以上であったが、60歳代以上は半数以下で、70歳代以上は「必要な教育なら時間は気にしない」が最も多かった。また再診患者は初診患者と比べて長い時間を答えた人数(割合)が有意に多かった。

  13. Prednisolone Induces Microglial Activation in the Subnucleus Caudalis of the Rat Trigeminal Sensory Complex Peer-reviewed

    Yu Endo, Noriaki Shoji, Yusuke Shimada, Eriko Kasahara, Masahiro Iikubo, Tadasu Sato, Takashi Sasano, Hiroyuki Ichikawa

    CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY　34　(1)　95-100　2014/01

    DOI： 10.1007/s10571-013-9990-z 　

    ISSN： 0272-4340

    eISSN： 1573-6830

  14. 高齢者における味覚異常感が食品摂取、食欲および体調に及ぼす影響 口腔疾患との関連 Peer-reviewed

    佐藤 しづ子, 金田 直人, 酒井 梓, 金田 敏雄, 遠藤 雄, 熊坂 晃, 嶋田 雄介, 大方 理絵, 庄司 憲明, 笹野 高嗣

    日本口腔診断学会雑誌　26　(3)　280-288　2013/10

    Publisher: (一社)日本口腔診断学会

    ISSN： 0914-9694

    eISSN： 2188-2843

    More details Close

    口腔症状を主訴に当科と関連歯科医院を受診した65歳以上の高齢者120名にアンケートを行い、「味覚異常感の有無」「各種食品の摂取頻度」「健康状態(体調・食欲)」について調査した。結果、味覚異常感が有ると答えたのは67名(56%)であった。味覚異常感が有る群と無い群とで各種食品の摂取頻度を比較したところ、油脂類を除く全ての食品で味覚異常有り群の摂取頻度が有意に低かった。健康状態を両群で比較したところ、味覚異常有り群は体調不良と食欲低下を有する割合が有意に高かった。味覚異常の原因について調べたところ、「口腔カンジダ症」が最も多く13名、次いで「口腔乾燥症」8名、「栄養不良」8名、「口内炎」6名、「糖尿病」6名などであった。

Show all ︎Show first 5

Misc. 4

  1. CT imaging evaluation of phantoms for visualization and quantification of intraosseous contrast agents

    小嶋郁穂, 嶋田雄介, 飯久保正弘, 都木利之, 小池昭史, 青木徹, 森井久史

    生体医歯工学共同研究拠点成果報告書　2022　2023

  2. シェーグレン症候群の耳下腺、顎下腺、舌下腺のMRIに関する診断学的研究 MR信号強度不均一とMR sialography点状高信号域の診断精度について Peer-reviewed

    嶋田 雄介, 小嶋 郁穂, 阪本 真弥, 飯久保 正弘, 室井 梓, 菅原 由美子, 佐藤 しづ子, 笹野 高嗣

    日本口腔診断学会雑誌　29　(1)　39-39　2016/02

    Publisher: (一社)日本口腔診断学会

    ISSN： 0914-9694

    eISSN： 2188-2843

  3. 味覚異常感が高齢者の食と栄養摂取に与える影響

    佐藤 しづ子, 金田 直人, 酒井 梓, 金田 敏雄, 遠藤 雄, 熊坂 晃, 嶋田 雄介, 大方 理絵, 庄司 憲明, 笹野 高嗣

    日本口腔診断学会雑誌　27　(1)　90-90　2014/02

    Publisher: (一社)日本口腔診断学会

    ISSN： 0914-9694

  4. 味覚異常感が高齢者の食と栄養摂取に与える影響

    佐藤 しづ子, 金田 直人, 酒井 梓, 金田 敏雄, 遠藤 雄, 熊坂 晃, 嶋田 雄介, 大方 理絵, 庄司 憲明, 笹野 高嗣

    日本口腔内科学会雑誌　19　(2)　89-89　2013/12

    Publisher: (一社)日本口腔内科学会

    ISSN： 2186-6147

Presentations 17

  1. 畳み込みニューラルネットワークを用いた下顎第一小臼歯の根管識別

    山村聡太郎, 小嶋郁穂, 髙屋英知, 園部真也, 嶋田雄介, 飯久保正弘

    日本歯科放射線学会第65回学術大会　2025/05/31

  2. 顎骨の定量的評価により骨密度の著明な改善がみられた原発性副甲状腺機能亢進症の１例

    遠藤江里沙, 嶋田雄介, 新垣理宣, 飯久保正弘

    日本歯科放射線学会第５回秋季学術大会　2024/10/26

  3. 口内法エックス線画像でCKD-MBDによる顔面動脈の石灰化を認めた慢性腎臓病患者の１例

    嶋田雄介, 小嶋郁穂, 飯久保正弘

    日本歯科放射線学会第５回秋季学術大会　2024/10/26

  4. 骨内造影剤の可視化と定量化に関するファントムのCT画像評価

    小嶋郁穂, 嶋田雄介, 飯久保正弘, 都木利之, 小池昭史, 青木 徹, 森井久史

    令和4年度生体医歯工学共同研究拠点成果報告会　2023/03/03

  5. 頸部CTで強直性脊椎炎が疑われた顎関節強直症の1例

    小嶋郁穂, 野上晋之介, 常陸 真, 嶋田雄介, 横山由加, 飯久保正弘

    日本歯科放射線学会 第234回関東地方会・第41回北日本地方会・第29回合同地方会　2022/08/27

  6. Imaging findings of arrested pneumatization and differentiation from other skull base lesions

    Ikuho Kojima, Yusuke Shimada, Masahiro Iikubo

    2022/06/04

  7. Panoramic radiographic features of mandibular first premolars with multiple root canals diagnosed on cone beam computed tomography

    Yusuke Shimada, Ikuho Kojima, Takashi Nishioka, Maya Sakamoto, Masahiro Iikubo

    2022/06/04

  8. Narrowing pulp cavities associated with long-term steroid therapy: two case reports and literature review

    Naoko Watanabe, Yuka Yokoyama Sato, Ikuho Kojima, Yusuke Shimada, Yuriko Goto, Kuniyuki Izumita, Akira Kumasaka, Masahiro Iikubo

    2022/06/04

  9. 全顎的な歯髄腔の狭窄がみられたステロイド長期使用患者の２症例

    渡辺尚子, 横山由加, 小嶋郁穂, 嶋田雄介, 後藤弓里子, 泉田一賢, 熊坂 晃, 飯久保正弘

    日本歯科放射線学会第233回関東地方会　2022/03/05

  10. 複数根管を有する下顎第一小臼歯のパノラマエックス線写真における特徴的画像所見の検討

    嶋田 雄介, 小嶋 郁穂, 西岡 貴志, 飯久保 正弘, 阪本 真弥

    日本歯科放射線学会 第24回臨床画像大会　2019/11/23

  11. 歯科用CTにおける根管充填材のアーチファクトに関する検討(第3報) 電圧および電流による影響

    飯久保 正弘, 香川 豊宏, 湯浅 賢治, 大蔵 眞太郎, 小林 馨, 嶋田 雄介, 佐々城 真, 熊坂 晃, 西岡 貴志, 笹野 高嗣

    第57回日本歯科放射線学会　2016/06

  12. CT画像にみられる根管充填剤による歯根破折様アーチファクトについて

    飯久保 正弘, 嶋田 雄介, 佐々城 真, 熊坂 晃, 小嶋 郁穂, 阪本 真弥, 笹野 高嗣

    第28回日本口腔診断学会学術大会　2015/09

  13. 東北大学病院歯科部門における卒前臨床実習および卒後臨床研修に対する外来患者の意識調査

    室井 梓, 酒井, 飯久保 正弘, 嶋田 雄介, 橋本 直也, 熊坂 晃, 佐々城 真, 小嶋 郁穂, 庄司 憲明, 笹野 高嗣

    第28回日本口腔診断学会学術大会　2015/09

  14. シェーグレン症候群の耳下腺、顎下腺、舌下腺のMRIに関する診断学的研究 MR信号強度不均一とMR sialography点状高信号域の診断精度について

    嶋田 雄介, 小嶋 郁穂, 阪本 真弥, 飯久保 正弘, 室井 梓, 菅原 由美子, 佐藤 しづ子, 笹野 高嗣

    第28回日本口腔診断学会学術大会　2015/09

  15. 水平的歯根破折に関する画像診断学的研究 角度の異なる歯根破折線の検出能に関する二等分法、平行法および歯科用CTの比較

    佐々城 真, 飯久保 正弘, 橋本 直也, 嶋田 雄介, 小嶋 郁穂, 阪本 真弥, 笹野 高嗣

    第27回日本口腔診断学会・第24回日本口腔内科学会合同学術大会　2014/09

  16. 口腔病変を初発とした後天性表皮水疱症の1例

    菅原 由美子, 嶋田 雄介, 熊本 裕行, 笹野 高嗣

    第68回日本口腔科学会　2014/05

  17. 味覚異常感が高齢者の食と栄養摂取に与える影響

    佐藤 しづ子, 金田 直人, 酒井 梓, 金田 敏雄, 遠藤 雄, 熊坂 晃, 嶋田 雄介, 大方 理絵, 庄司 憲明, 笹野 高嗣

    第26回日本口腔診断学会・第23回日本口腔内科学会合同学術大会　2013/09

Show all Show first 5

Research Projects 4

  1. 深層学習によるトモシンセシス搭載パノラマX線画像の３次元根管形態予測モデルの開発

    嶋田 雄介, 飯久保 正弘, 小嶋 郁穂

    Offer Organization: 日本学術振興会

    System: 科学研究費助成事業

    Category: 基盤研究(C)

    Institution: 東北大学

    2025/04/01 - 2030/03/31

  2. CT画像における骨内造影剤の可視化と定量化に関する研究

    小嶋 郁穂, 鈴木美帆子, 嶋田 雄介, 飯久保 正弘, 青木 徹, 森井久史

    System: 2025年度 生体医歯工学共同研究

    Institution: 東北大学病院

    2025/04 - 2026/03

  3. Elucidation of a peripheral modification mechanisms of sympathetic nerves to the pulpal pain system.

    Shimada Yusuke

    Offer Organization: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

    System: Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research

    Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists

    Institution: Tohoku University

    2019/04/01 - 2024/03/31

    More details Close

    The characteristic radiographic findings of mandibular first premolars with multiple root canals were investigated to determine the diagnostic accuracy of panoramic radiography. The results showed that the highest percentage of teeth with steep stenosis occurred between the apical 1/4 level and the root apex level in single root canal teeth. The highest percentage of teeth with steep stenosis occurred between the cervical level and the root 1/2 level in the multi-root canal teeth. The location of the steep narrowing of the root canal in the panoramic X-ray image differs between single and multiple root canal teeth, and when the steep narrowing of the root canal morphology is seen at a height of more than 1/4 of the root apex measurement of the root length as the diagnostic criteria for multiple root canals, it showed high diagnostic performance.

  4. Objective taste diagnosis following expression of umami-taste -related genes in the tongue

    sasano takashi

    Offer Organization: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

    System: Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)

    Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)

    Institution: Tohoku University

    2017/04/01 - 2020/03/31

    More details Close

    In Japan, gustatory function is generally assessed using the electrogustometry and the filter paper disk method. However, these are not necessarily useful for patients who cannot express their taste sensation, because of subjective test. So, we investigated whether taste receptors can be quantitatively detected with digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis using human samples from tongue. Until now, immunocytochemistry staining of gustducin, a taste-cell specific G protein, and gene expression analysis by digital PCR of taste receptorswere performed. But, each PCR product was not enough rate of identification, we are repeatedly devising primer designs. We also studied about the effects of chemotherapy on taste alterations. Chemotherapy induced taste alterations in more than 50 % of patients, which decreased to less than 10 % immediately beforte the next chemotherapy cycle. A combination of objective and subjective assessments is essential to evaluate taste alterations.