[Clinical aspects of diagnosis and treatment of glossodynia in elderly and senile people.]

Glossodynia is a disease that is difficult to diagnose and treat. Persons of older age groups are in the most risk of its occurrence. This is due to the fact that its etiological factors are: age-related changes, general somatic diseases, usage of some pharmacological drugs, changes in the psycho-emotional background. Due to the similarity of the clinical picture of glossodynia with other diseases of the oral cavity, the doctor is required to be thoughtful when diagnosing and differentiating glossodynia. Clinical methods of examination are used, paying most attention to the anamnesis of life and disease, assessment of the personal and emotional sphere of the patient. Clinico-functional, clinico-instrumental, and laboratory methods of examination are also used. In the treatment of glossodynia, attention should be paid not only to the elimination of symptoms, but also to its prevention. The main efforts should be aimed at combating the main links of pathogenesis. Treatment should be comprehensive, differentiated and personalized. As a result of many researchers work, certain principles of diagnostics and treatment of glossodynia have been developed, which will be considered in our work.

A 78-year-old female with severe tongue pain: benefit of modern ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common form of systemic vasculitis in persons aged 50 years and older. Medium and large vessels, like the temporal and axillary arteries, are commonly affected. Typical symptoms are headache, scalp tenderness, jaw claudication and ophthalmological symptoms as loss of visual field, diplopia or amaurosis due to optic nerve ischemia. Tongue pain due to vasculitic affection of the deep lingual artery can occur and has so far not been visualized and followed up by modern ultrasound. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 78-year-old woman with typical symptoms of GCA, such as scalp tenderness, jaw claudication and loss of visual field, as well as severe tongue pain. Broad vasculitic affection of the extracranial arteries, vasculitis of the central retinal artery and the deep lingual artery could be visualized by ultrasound. Further did we observe a relevant decrease of intima-media thickness (IMT) values of all arteries assessed by ultrasound during follow-up. Especially the left common superficial temporal artery showed a relevant decrease of IMT from 0.49 mm at time of diagnosis to 0.23 mm on 6-months follow-up. This is the first GCA case described in literature, in which vasculitis of the central retinal artery and the lingual artery could be visualized at diagnosis and during follow-up using high-resolution ultrasound. CONCLUSION: High-resolution ultrasound can be a useful diagnostic imaging modality in diagnosis and follow-up of GCA, even in small arteries like the lingual artery or central retinal artery. Ultrasound of the central retinal artery could be an important imaging tool in identifying suspected vasculitic affection of the central retinal artery.

Análise de fatores clínico-demográficos, psicológicos, hormonais e genéticos na síndrome da ardência bucal e ardor bucal secundário / Analysis of clinical and demographic, psychological, hormonal and genetic factors in burning mouth syndrome and secondary burning mouth

A síndrome da ardência bucal (SAB) é uma condição clínica pouco esclarecida caracterizada por sensação espontânea de ardência, dor ou prurido na mucosa oral, sem alterações locais ou sistêmicas identificáveis. Sua etiopatogenia é incerta, não havendo até o momento uma padronização dos critérios utilizados para o seu diagnóstico. O presente estudo objetivou verificar a associação de fatores psicológicos, hormonais e genéticos com a SAB no sentido de propor uma melhor caracterização de sua natureza. Além de uma análise descritiva da amostra estudada, os aspectos analisados foram especificamente os níveis de estresse e sua fase, depressão, e ansiedade, compondo os fatores psicológicos; mensuração dos níveis séricos de cortisol e desidroepiandrosterona (DHEA); bem como a verificação sobre a ocorrência de polimorfismos no gene da Interleucina-6 (IL6). Foram realizadas análises comparativas entre um grupo de pacientes com SAB e um grupo composto por indivíduos com ardor bucal secundário (AB). Os resultados revelaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os dois grupos com relação aos seguintes aspectos: xerostomia (p=0,01) e hipossalivação em repouso (p<0,001), que foram mais prevalentes no grupo SAB; sintomas de depressão (p=0,033), também mais presentes no grupo SAB; e dosagem de DHEA, que apresentou níveis mais reduzidos no grupo SAB (p=0,003). A dosagem desse hormônio mostrou-se amplamente sensível e específica para o diagnóstico da síndrome em estudo, sendo verificado que níveis séricos de DHEA abaixo de 0,37µg/mL para mulheres, utilizando-se os procedimentos propostos na pesquisa, possuem um Odds Ratio de 4,0 95 por cento IC (0,37 a 2,71)]. Foi verificado ainda que o alelo C do polimorfismo rs2069849 da IL-6 pode representar um alelo de risco para a ocorrência de ardor bucal em ambos os grupos, no entanto, não se pode garantir sua real implicação nos processos inflamatórios da SAB

Os presentes resultados sugerem uma provável influência da depressão, bem como de níveis diminuídos do hormônio DHEA na SAB. (AU)

The burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a clinical condition characterized by spontaneous burning sensation, pain or itching in the oral mucosa without identifiable local or systemic changes. Its pathogenesis is uncertain, with no observable standardization in previous literature of the criteria used for its diagnosis. The present study aimed to determine demographic, psychological, hormonal and genetic factors in patients with BMS and secondary burning mouth to propose a better characterization of the nature and classification of this condition. Besides a descriptive analysis of the sample of 163 individuals, were analyzed the levels of stress and its phase, depression and anxiety; measurement of serum levels of cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), as well as checking on the occurrence of polymorphisms in the gene of interleukin-6 (IL6). Comparative analysis between a group of patients with BMS and a group of individuals with secondary burning mouth (BM) were performed. The results revealed statistically significant differences between the two groups with respect to the following aspects: xerostomia (p=0.01) and hyposalivation at rest (p<0.001), which were more prevalent in the BMS group; symptoms of depression (p=0.033), more present in the BMS group, and dosage of DHEA, which showed lower levels in BMS patients (p=0.003). The dosage of this hormone was largely specific and sensitive for the diagnosis of the studied syndrome, and was verified that serum levels of DHEA below 0.37 pg/mL in women, using the procedures proposed in this research, have an Odds Ratio of 4.0 95 per cent Cl (0.37 to 2.71)]. These results suggest a possible influence of depression and decreased levels of the hormone DHEA in the pathogenesis of BMS. (AU)

Oral Burning With Dysphagia and Weight Loss.

Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by an abnormal pain regulation. Widespread pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance are the prevalent symptoms. When unusual symptoms are overbearingly predominant at clinical presentation, the diagnosis becomes challenging.We report on the case of a patient with fibromyalgia, who presented with dysphagia, odynophagia, and glossodynia as prevalent symptoms. Difficulty in swallowing gradually developed over a month prior hospitalization, and worsened progressively so that nourishment and fluid intake were impeded.Because anemia with mild iron deficiency was found, esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed, but no lesions were seen in the upper digestive tract. Levels of zinc and vitamin B12 were normal. Intense pain at pelvis and the inferior limbs, which was at a first glance referred to as osteoarthrosis, associated with oral symptoms and feeling of being in the clouds allowed us to diagnose fibromyalgia. Amitriptyline was used, with relief of symptoms.Although oropharyngeal symptoms were occasionally reported in fibromyalgia, they are often overlooked. The present case, therefore, testifies the need to consider the diagnosis of fibromyalgia when the patient presents with such symptoms that cannot be readily explained on other grounds.

[GLOSSALGIA SYNDROME AS SUPRAESOPHAGEAL MANIFESTATION OF GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE].

The case of clinical supervision of the patient having polimorbid pathology is presented. One of extraesophageal manifestations of a gastroesophageal reflux disease is the glossalgia. Glossalgia is the polyetiological disease. Treatment needs to be carried out taking into account the factors causing emergence of a glossalgia. In this regard normalization of functions of organs and systems of an organism is provided.

Effectiveness of low-dose milnacipran for a patient suffering from pain disorder with delusional disorder (somatic type) in the orofacial region.

Glossodynia is chronic pain localized around the tongue, with no perceivable organic abnormalities. In the fields of oral and maxillofacial surgery, it is categorized as an oral psychosomatic disease. In contrast, psychiatric nosology classifies glossodynia as a pain disorder among somatoform disorders, per the DSM-IV. The patient was a 71-year-old woman who developed symptoms of glossodynia, specifically a sore tongue. In the decade before she presented to us, she had had bizarre symptoms of oral cenesthopathy such as the sensation that her teeth had become 'limp and floppy' and that she needles in her mouth. Treatment was attempted using several psychotropic drugs, but no satisfactory response was noted. Because the patient was referred to our outpatient clinic, we tried psychotropic therapy again. Additionally, valproic acid, tandospirone and sertraline were administered (in this order), but the patient still showed no response. However, when sertraline was changed to milnacipran, all symptoms disappeared in a short period. We suggest that a small dose of milnacipran can be effective for controlling oral cenesthopathy as well as glossodynia.

Burning mouth syndrome.

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic condition that is characterized by burning symptoms of the oral mucosa without obvious clinical examination findings. This syndrome has complex characteristics, but its cause remains largely enigmatic, making treatment and management of patients with BMS difficult. Despite not being accompanied by evident organic changes, BMS can significantly reduce the quality of life for such patients. Therefore, it is incumbent on dental professionals to diagnose and manage patients with BMS as a part of comprehensive care.

Síndrome de boca ardiente y saliva / Burning mouth syndrome and saliva

El síndrome de Boca Ardiente (SBA) se caracteriza por ardor, picor, escozor y dolor bucal sin causa orgánica que lo justifique. La boca ardiente aún es un desafío en el campo de la medicina. Su etiología es desconocida, a pesar de que diversos estudios indican que intervienen una serie de factores locales, sistémicos y psicológicos que se consideran como posibles agentes causales. La saliva puede desempeñar un papel importante en la sintomatología del ardor bucal, presenta propiedades físicas y químicas (reológicas) que determinan funciones imprescindibles para el equilibrio de la cavidad bucal. En pacientes con boca ardiente hay cambios en la composición y tasa del flujo salival relacionados con boca seca, viscosidad, ardor bucal, humedad entre otros. En esta revisión se trata de actualizar varios aspectos que relacionan las distintas causas del síndrome de boca ardiente con la saliva y sus alteraciones como uno de los factores más importantes en la etiología del ardor bucal. Estudios recientes sugieren que el ácido alfa lipoico combinado con gabapentina es un tratamiento efectivo para este síndrome

Burning mouth syndrome is characterized by burning, smarting and oral pain without any organic cause justifying it. Burning mouth is still a challenge in medical field. It has an unknown aetiology; despite many studies indicate the involvement of local, systemic and psychological factors that can be considered possible causal agents. Saliva can perform an important role in oral smarting symptomatology, shows physico-chemical properties (rheological) determining vital functions for oral cavity equilibrium. There are changes in composition and salivary flow rate of burning mouth patients, related with dry mouth, viscosity, oral smarting, and humidity, among others. This review pretends to update many aspects that relate different causes of burning mouth syndrome with saliva and its alterations as one of the most important factors in the aetiology of oral smarting. Recent studies suggest that alpha lipoic acid combined with gabapentin is an effective treatment for this syndrome

Temporal arteritis presenting with tongue necrosis.

Spontaneous glossodynia is uncommon and glossodynia progressing to necrosis is especially rare. Although the commonest cause of lingual necrosis is giant cell arteritis, only a few cases of a new diagnosis of giant cell arteritis, clinically presenting with isolated lingual necrosis, have been reported.

Glossodynia and coeliac disease.

Coeliac disease is an immune-mediated chronic inflammatory disorder of the small bowel caused by irritant gluten and, possibly, other environmental cofactors, in genetically prone people. Coeliac disease is characterized by no (or elusive or varied) symptoms. Oral clinical settings include aphthous stomatitis and dental enamel defects. Association with other signs in the oral mucosa (such as, for example, soreness, a burning sensation, erythema or atrophy) is much less common and, often, not considered by clinicians. We report on a 72-year-old woman with a four months history of oral burning sensation as a single clinical manifestation of coeliac disease. Clinical presentation and symptomatology are discussed in relation to the differential diagnosis of oral glossodynia. This case history highlights the importance of considering coeliac disease in managing cases of idiopathic glossodynia.

Hemifacial spasm, glossodynia, and dolichoectasia of the basilar artery.

The case of a 77-year-old hypertensive man presenting with hemifacial spasm and glossodynia is reported. Imaging studies revealed gross dolichoectasia of the vertebrobasilar arterial system with pontine compression. It is suggested that the neurologic symptoms most likely resulted from pontine compression, rather than from any compression of the cranial nerves.

Distinguishing patients with glossopyrosis from those with oropyrosis based upon clinical differences and differences in saliva and erythrocyte magnesium.

OBJECTIVE: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a complex of clinical symptoms defined by burning sensations in the oral cavity without observed oral pathology. Clinically two patient groups within BMS were distinguished, one with burning limited to the anterior tongue (glossopyrosis) and the other with burning in multiple mouth regions, including tongue, lips, palate, gums and cheeks (oropyrosis). Biochemical differences between these two groups could assist in distinguishing them. DESIGN: Eighty-three patients with BMS, 47 with oropyrosis and 31 with glossopyrosis were studied. Measurements of zinc, copper, magnesium and calcium in blood plasma, erythrocytes and parotid saliva were obtained in patients and in normal subjects and mean levels were compared. RESULTS: Clinical history differentiated patients into categories of oropyrosis and glossopyrosis. Erythrocyte and saliva levels of magnesium were significantly lower in patients with glossopyrosis than in patients with oropyrosis or in normal volunteers whereas levels of zinc and calcium were similar. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that patients with glossopyrosis not only differ clinically from those with oropyrosis but also exhibit magnesium deficiency as manifested by lower than normal magnesium levels in saliva and erythrocytes. Lingual burning in patients with glossopyrosis is consistent with hyperalgesia and neurogenic inflammation observed in patients and animals with magnesium deficiency and in magnesium deficient tissues. These results suggest a possible biochemical mechanism for pyrosis in patients with glossopyrosis.

The dubious effect of milnacipran for the treatment of burning mouth syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a condition accompanied by oral burning symptoms, including glossal pain (glossodynia) without a detectable cause. Although BMS is a chronic-pain syndrome, only one self-controlled pilot study and some case reports have reported that milnacipran is effective for the treatment of chronic pain, including that caused by BMS. However, these papers assessed only pain, and the dosage of prescribed milnacipran varied from 30 to 150 mg/d in each patient. In this study, the dosage of prescribed milnacipran was set at 60 mg/d for 12 weeks for all patients, and depression and quality of life (QOL) were assessed in addition to pain. METHODS: Twelve patients with glossodynia participated in this study. Milnacipran was initiated at a dosage of 15 mg/d and then raised gradually to 60 mg/d after 4 weeks of treatment; this dose was continued until the end of the study (total of 12 weeks). The evaluation included the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, the Visual Analog Scale score for pain evaluation, the General Oral Health Assessment Index for oral-related QOL evaluation, and the Medical Outcomes Study's 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) for whole QOL evaluation. RESULTS: The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score decreased significantly after treatment with a 60-mg/d dosage of milnacipran for 12 weeks. However, the Visual Analog Scale pain, General Oral Health Assessment Index, and SF-36 scores did not change. CONCLUSIONS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multi-institution trial of milnacipran will be essential to determine its effectiveness for the treatment of BMS.

Glossodynia from Candida-associated lesions, burning mouth syndrome, or mixed causes.

OBJECTIVE: Candida-associated lesions (CALs) and burning mouth syndrome (BMS) may induce glossodynia without objective manifestations. We investigated patients with glossodynia to examine the relationship between CAL and BMS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A visual analog scale was used to divide 95 patients with glossodynia into three groups according to intensity of pain at rest and when eating. Group A was the functional pain group; group B was the nonfunctional pain group; and group C was a mixed pain group. Antifungal treatment was scheduled for patients with suspected Candida infection by clinical, mycological, or cytological criteria. RESULTS: Culture tests and direct examination results indicated that group A had high Candida positivity (73.0% by culture and 59.5% by direct examination), and showed a good response to antifungal treatment (75.7%). Antifungal treatment was not useful in group B. This was supported by a low Candida infection rate, as determined by direct examination (3.1%). For group C, Candida positivity and antifungal treatment effectiveness were between groups A and B. Furthermore, six patients in group C showed complete remission of functional pain by antifungal treatment only. Favorable outcomes were obtained for 23 patients (10 in group B and 13 in group C), who received antidepressant treatment. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that glossodynia was Candida-associated in group A, and BMS-induced in group B, while group C contained patients with both CAL and BMS.

[Functional somatic syndrome in dental practice].

Functional somatic syndromes (FSSs) are common in dental as well as medical practice. Many patients with unexplained symptoms in oro-maxillo-facial areas visit dentists, but they are not diagnosed and treated properly. Temporomandibular disorder, atypical facial pain, and glossodynia (burning mouth syndrome) are included in dental FSSs. These diseases overlap with each other and with FSSs in other organs, such as myofacial pain syndrome, tension-type headache, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome. They coexist with mental disorders, such as anxiety disorder, mood disorder, and somatoform disorder. Multidisciplinary and holistic approaches should be applied to dental FSSs; pharmacological therapy (antidepressants), physical therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Clinicians have to support a patient in"enjoying his/her life with symptoms". Dental specialists in "oral medicine" with psychosomatic viewpoints are now required.