title: Treating empty nose syndrome as a somatic symptom disorder.
abstract: Empty nose syndrome (ENS) is a rare complication of inferior turbinate resection, characterized by a paradoxical nasal obstruction sensation despite decreased nasal resistance. Here we report the case of a 37-year-old patient with ENS and severe functional impairment, who was diagnosed with a somatic symptom disorder and treated accordingly. Cognitive behavior therapy targeting dysfunctional beliefs and avoidance behaviors together with a treatment by venlafaxine resulted in dramatic functional improvement between month 2 and month 4. At month 6, the patient was displaying back-to-normal levels of functioning and was no longer seeking care for ENS. Treating ENS as a somatic symptom disorder might constitute a first-line, safe alternative to surgical treatment.
authors.affiliation: Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France; AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Ouest, Service de Psychiatrie de l'Adulte et du Sujet Âgé, Paris, France; Inserm, U894, Centre Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Paris, France. Electronic address: cedric.lemogne@egp.aphp.fr.
authors.forename: Cédric
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lemogne
authors.affiliation: Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France; AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Ouest, Service de Psychiatrie de l'Adulte et du Sujet Âgé, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Silla M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Consoli
authors.affiliation: Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France; AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Ouest, Service de Psychiatrie de l'Adulte et du Sujet Âgé, Paris, France; Inserm, U894, Centre Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Limosin
authors.affiliation: Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France; AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Ouest, Service d'ORL et de Chirurgie Cervico-Faciale, Paris, France; CNRS-SSA UMR MD8257, Cognition and Action Group (Cognac G), Paris, France.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bonfils
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000601:surgery; D059747:Nasal Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000068760:Serotonin and Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013577:Syndrome; D014420:Turbinates / Q000601:surgery; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000068760:Serotonin and Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
keywords: Empty nose syndrome; Functional somatic syndromes; Somatic symptom disorders; Somatoform disorders; Treatment