The Significance of Brain Transcranial Sonography in Burning Mouth Syndrome: a Pilot Study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic disorder which is affecting mostly postmenopausal women and is characterized by burning symptoms in the oral cavity on the clinically healthy oral mucosa. Also, the results of previous studies suggested a possible role of peripheral and/or central neurological disturbances in these patients. The aim of this study was to analyze patients with burning mouth syndrome using transcranial sonography. METHODS: , midbrain raphe and brain nucleus were evaluated in 20 patients with BMS (64.7±12.3 years) and 20 controls with chronic pain in the lumbosacral region (61.5±15). Statistical analysis was performed by use of Student t test with significance set at p<0.05. RESULTS: in BMS patients (p<0,05) as compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: eus in patients with burning mouth syndrome might reflect central disturbances within this syndrome. KEY WORDS: Burning Mouth Syndrome; Transcranial Sonography; substantia nigra; Midbrain Raphe Nuclei; Red Nucleus.