Effects of near-infrared irradiation to stellate ganglion in glossodynia.

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to assess the effect of stellate ganglion near-infrared irradiation (SGR) on glossodynia and the mechanism of action.

STUDY

DESIGN

Thirty-seven patients with glossodynia received SGR once weekly for 4 weeks. The response to treatment was evaluated on the basis of the change in pain intensity, assessed with a visual analogue scale (VAS) before and after 4 weeks of treatment. The temperature and blood flow of the tongue were also measured before and after first SGR. As control, eight healthy subjects were studied.

RESULTS

Tongue pain as assessed by the VAS decreased in 28 of the 37 patients (75.7%). Mean pain intensity decreased significantly from 5.1 +/- 2.2 to 1.9 +/- 2.1 (P < 0.05). Tongue blood flow at rest in the patients with glossodynia [7.2 +/- 1.6 ml min(-1) (100 g)(-1)] was significantly lower than that in the healthy subjects [7.8 +/- 0.23 ml min(-1) (100 g)(-1)]. Five minutes after SGR, the temperature of the tongue rose 1.5 +/- 0.21 degrees C, and blood flow increased to 8.5 +/- 1.2 ml min(-1) (100 g)(-1). Tongue blood flow (at rest) after 4 weeks of SGR had increased to 7.7 +/- 1.1 ml min(-1) (100 g)(-1).

CONCLUSION

SGR is an effective treatment for glossodynia. The mechanism by which SGR improves symptoms associated with glossodynia is thought to be as follows: SGR inhibits abnormally increased sympathetic activity associated with glossodynia. This is followed by normalization of decreased tongue blood flow, thereby alleviating pain.