Electroconvulsive therapy for burning mouth syndrome

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Pain Medicine
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a complex orofacial pain disorder with unclear etiology and controversial treatment strategies.
• Psychological and neuropathological factors are implicated, but the precise pathogenic mechanisms remain elusive.
• Current treatments for BMS often yield suboptimal results, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches.

Observation:

• A single case report details a 66-year-old woman diagnosed with Burning Mouth Syndrome Type 1.
• The patient experienced daily burning pain with circadian variation, characteristic of BMS Type 1.
• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was administered to the patient.

Findings:

• Following a course of 12 electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) sessions, the patient reported a significant reduction in oral burning pain.
• The therapeutic effect of ECT on BMS pain was sustained for at least 24 weeks post-treatment.
• This represents the first reported instance of ECT efficacy in managing Burning Mouth Syndrome pain.

Implications:

• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) presents a potential new treatment option for patients suffering from persistent and intractable intraoral burning pain.
• Further research is warranted to explore the broader applicability and long-term outcomes of ECT in managing Burning Mouth Syndrome.
• This case highlights the potential of neuromodulatory techniques in addressing complex chronic pain conditions like BMS.