To evaluate the clinical efficacy of auricular acupoint application in the treatment of burning mouth syndrome(BMS).

A total of 155 patients diagnosed with BMS were randomly divided into the auricular acupoint application group (50 patients), drug treatment group (55 patients), and auricular acupoint application combined with drug treatment group (50 patients). One month represented one course of treatment. The changes in pain intensity were evaluated before treatment as well as one month and three months after treatment.

The VAS scores in the auricular acupoint application group (t = 8.949), the drug treatment group (t = 10.52) and the auricular acupoint application combined with drug treatment group (t = 19.33) all decreased 1 month after treatment, with a statistically significant difference compared with the scores before treatment (P < 0.01). The VAS scores of the auricular acupoint application combined with drug treatment group decreased significantly, and the difference was statistically significant compared with the scores in the drug treatment group (t = 3.91, P = 0.0002). 3 months after treatment, the VAS scores of the three group decreased compared with that before treatment, but increased compared with that 1 month after treatment, and the VAS score of the drug treatment group increased most obviously, but the difference was not statistically significant compared with that of the auricular acupoint application group (t = 2.047, P = 0.043), other pairwise comparison differences were not statistically significant. There was no statistically significant difference in VAS score in the auricular acupoint application group (t = 1.752) and in the drug treatment group (t = 0.174) compared with that before treatment (P > 0.05). Compared with before treatment, the VAS score in the auricular acupoint application combined with drug treatment group also decreased significantly (t = 3.282, P < 0.05).

Auricular point application is a safe and effective treatment for burning mouth syndrome, and the long-term effect is better when combined with drugs.

To investigate the predictive value of EZH2 expression for malignant transformation in oral leukoplakia (OLK) and to provide a reference for clinical practice.

This study was approved by the institutional ethics committee, and informed consent was obtained from all participants. A total of 114 patients diagnosed with OLK by pathological examination and treated at our hospital between November 2020 and July 2022 were initially enrolled. After excluding those with incomplete data or follow-up, 105 participants were included in the final analysis, comprising 14 in the high EZH2 expression group and 91 in the low EZH2 expression group. Histopathological examination of oral mucosa and immunohistochemical detection of EZH2 protein expression were performed. The follow-up period was 30 months; participants were followed until malignant transformation occurred or until the end of follow-up, at which point they were withdrawn from the study. The exposure factor was the level of EZH2 protein expression, and the outcome was the malignant transformation rate of OLK. Differences in EZH2 expression levels and transformation outcomes were analyzed.

There were no statistically significant differences between the high and low EZH2 expression groups in terms of age, sex, history of systemic disease, lifestyle habits, psychological status, diet, and sleep conditions (P > 0.05). Lesions in the high EZH2 expression group were mainly located on the ventral tongue, while in the low EZH2 expression group, they were more commonly found on the dorsal tongue and buccal mucosa. The malignant transformation rate was 28.6% (4/14) in the high expression group and 8.8% (8/91) in the low expression group; these differences were not statistically significant (P=0.053). In univariate Cox regression analysis, the risk of malignant transformation in the high EZH2 expression group was 3.647 times that of the low EZH2 expression group (HR = 3.647, 95% CI: 1.097-12.120, P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that over the 30-month follow-up period, the cancer-free survival rate in the high EZH2 expression group was 19.8% lower than in the low expression group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, only moderate and severe epithelial dysplasia were identified as independent risk factors for malignant transformation. The risk of malignant transformation in the moderate and severe dysplasia groups was 10.695 and 13.623 times higher, respectively, than in the mild dysplasia group (HR = 10.695, 95% CI: 2.270-50.396, P<0.05; HR=13.623, 95% CI: 1.918-96.774, P<0.05). EZH2 high expression was not an independent risk factor in the multivariate model (HR= 2.528, 95% CI: 0.752-8.500, P = 0.134).

High EZH2 protein expression is a risk factor for the malignant transformation of OLK but does not have independent predictive value.

To observe the clinical effects of auricular point therapy on burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and its effect on the psychological state of patients and plasma β-endorphin.

A total of 105 patients diagnosed with BMS were randomly divided into an auricular acupoint application group (50 cases) and a drug treatment group (55 cases). The treatment course lasted one month. The patients in the auricular acupoint application group selected 3 points on their tongue, heart and Shenmen through traditional Chinese medical dialectics used for patients with BMS. Wangbuliu seeds were applied, two ears were pressed alternately and one ear was applied each time. The patient was instructed to press the treatment site three times a day, 1-2 min each time, until the auricle skin became reddish and hot. The patients in the drug treatment group took vitamin E 100 mg+oryzanol 10 mg+vitamin B2 10 mg orally three times a day. Before and after treatment, the pain intensity and mental and psychological state of the patients were evaluated. The patient's plasma was detected before and after β-endorphin treatment.

The pain sensation intensity of the two groups decreased after treatment (P ＜ 0.001). After treatment, the scores of somatization (t = 2.118, P =0.037), fear (t = 2.084, P = 0.039) and diet and sleep (t = 2.047, P = 0.043) in the auricular acupoint application group were significantly improved compared with the level before treatment. The level of β-endorphin in plasma was increased, and the difference was statistically significant (t = 2.247, P = 0.027) in the auricular acupoint application group after treatment.

Auricular point therapy is an effective method for patients with BMS, improving psychological state and promoting the synthesis of plasma β-endorphin may be one of its mechanisms.

To explore the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatment of granulomatous cheilitis complications after treatment in patients with upper lip venous malformations, as well as to provide a reference for their clinical diagnosis and treatment.

This report provides details on the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatment of a case of granulomatous cheilitis after the treatment of upper lip venous malformation, and then analyzes granulomatous cheilitis alongside the related literature. The patient, a 30-year old male, was first seen in the dermatology department of another hospital with bright red spots on his lips, diagnosed with allergic dermatitis and received symptomatic treatment, and the erythema did not improve. He was diagnosed with ‘cavernous hemangioma’ and was treated with polydocanol and bleomycin injections. The bright red spots on his lips improved, but the swelling worsened for more than half a year. He then sought treatment at the oral mucosal department of our hospital. At the time of consultation, the swelling of the upper lip and perilabial skin was obvious, and there was a red patch on the right side of the upper lip, that was congested with blood. The upper lip was tough, with hard nodules, unclear borders, and poor mobility. Pathological examination showed epithelial hyperplasia of the upper lip mucosa, surface hyperkeratosis, subepithelial fibrous tissue hyperplasia, and chronic inflammation of the mucosa and minor salivary glands. Focal histiocyte, lymphocyte, and plasma cell infiltration was seen in the submucosal layer, with granulomatous inflammatory manifestations. Based on the patient's medical history, clinical manifestations, and histopathological manifestations, the diagnosis of granulomatous cheilitis was made. Tretinoin 0.3 mL (40 mg/mL, 1 mL/vial) was injected into the deep layer of the mucosa of the right and left upper lips for local block treatment. Prednisone acetate tablets (10 mg/Qd) were taken orally, and after 1 week of follow-up, the symptoms improved, so the original treatment was continued. After 2 weeks of follow-up, the swelling of the lips improved significantly, and the oral prednisone acetate tablets were adjusted to 5 mg/Qd. After 4 weeks of follow-up, the shape of the lips was largely back to normal, and the color and suppleness of the lips had improved significantly. The local block treatment and oral medication were stopped, and the patient was instructed to apply the topical tretinoin ointment Bid on the upper lip.

The patient had a follow-up visit 8 weeks later, at which their lip color, shape, and texture remained normal, and the patient was instructed to stop the medication and follow up. A review of the literature suggests that the etiology of granulomatous cheilitis is unknown and that it is associated with genetic predisposition, odontogenic infections, allergic factors, microbial infections, and immunological factors. It needs to be clinically differentiated from diseases such as lip venous malformations, lip angioneurotic oedema, Crohn's disease, and tuberculosis. At present, the clinical treatment of granulomatous cheilitis is still based on local glucocorticoid block therapy or a combination of oral glucocorticoid drugs. In this case, the area of erythema on the lips decreased in size, but swelling occurred and continued to worsen after polydocanol and bleomycin injection treatment. Pre-existing venous malformation should be considered as a complication associated with injectable drugs that can produce granulomatous cheilitis.

The injection-based treatment of lip venous malformation may be complicated by granulomatous cheilitis, and in the process of clinical diagnosis and treatment, it is necessary to be aware to the existence of drug-related factors in the occurrence and development of granulomatous diseases.