The role of sensory input of the chorda tympani nerve and the number of fungiform papillae in burning mouth syndrome

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate patients suffering from burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and control subjects by means of sensory testing and fungiform papillae count. The left and right anterior two-thirds of the tongue of of 25 BMS subjects and 20 healthy control subjects were evaluated for electric taste and electric detection threshold. The number of fungiform papillae/cm(2) was evaluated by using close-up digital photography. The electric taste/tingling detection threshold ratio was significantly higher in BMS compared with control subjects (P = .041). No difference was found between the number of fungiform papillae/cm(2) in the BMS compared with the control subjects (P = .277). Patients suffering from BMS for a prolonged period of time presented with a significantly elevated electric taste/tingling detection threshold ratio (P = .031). BMS may be a neurodegenerative process with chorda tympani nerve hypofunction potentially playing a role in the pathophysiology of this disorder.