A case of conversion disorder presenting as chronic trismus.

Trismus can be the symptom of several diseases. For the most part, the inability to open the mouth is due to an articular disorder but occasionally, the cause may be extra-articular. In this case, being reported, non-articular hysterical trismus caused the jaw to lock in an 11-year-old boy for 3 months. During this period the jaw was completely locked and the locking was associated with moderate to severe pain. After three sessions of therapy the patient was able to open his mouth 33 mm and his eating was back to normal. Conversion disorders often present with dramatic physical presentation including trismus and jaw lock. This report highlights the importance of complete history taking and a thorough clinical examination to make a correct diagnosis in a patient with trismus.

Chronic Orofacial Pain and Behavioral Medicine.

Patients with chronic orofacial pain disorders have significant psychological distress that plays an important role in modulating and maintaining their pain. For many patients, doing procedures or giving them medications does not relieve their pain. This article discusses the role of cognitive behavioral therapy and other related types of therapy, including mindfulness practices in modulating their pain disorders and helping patients to understand and participate in exercises and practices that will downregulate their pain and add to their toolbox of things they can do to gain relief.