Treating empty nose syndrome as a somatic symptom disorder.
Gen Hosp Psychiatry
; 37(3): 273.e9-10, 2015.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-25754986
Empty nose syndrome (ENS) is a rare complication of inferior turbinate resection, characterized by a paradoxical nasal obstruction sensation despite decreased nasal resistance. Here we report the case of a 37-year-old patient with ENS and severe functional impairment, who was diagnosed with a somatic symptom disorder and treated accordingly. Cognitive behavior therapy targeting dysfunctional beliefs and avoidance behaviors together with a treatment by venlafaxine resulted in dramatic functional improvement between month 2 and month 4. At month 6, the patient was displaying back-to-normal levels of functioning and was no longer seeking care for ENS. Treating ENS as a somatic symptom disorder might constitute a first-line, safe alternative to surgical treatment.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Somatoform Disorders
/
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
/
Nasal Surgical Procedures
/
Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
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Serotonin and Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Etiology_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
Gen Hosp Psychiatry
Year:
2015
Document type:
Article
Country of publication:
United States