Abstract
Idiopathic bizarre bodily sensations are referred to as cenesthopathy, which was originally proposed by Dupré and Camus in 1907. Most patients with cenesthopathy who visit dentists are elderly, and their complaints are usually monosymptomatic and limited to within or around the oral cavity. Although cenesthopathy is traditionally considered refractory, some reports indicate that pharmacotherapy can improve about 50％ of cenesthopathic sensations. The present report describes cenesthopathy that was very much improved by psychotropic agents in three patients.
Patients: Case 1 was a 65-year-old man who described cenesthesic symptoms of threads and metal coils emerging from his gums. These symptoms disappeared after taking aripiprazole（6 mg/day）for 9.5 months. Case 2 was a 60-year-old man who described cenesthesic symptoms of his chest and left upper incisor being tied with a spinning, thread-like nerve. He was already under amitriptyline（50 mg/day）treatment for depression. Adding risperidone（1 mg/day）gradually improved these symptoms and they finally disappeared after one year. Case 3 was a 45-year-old woman who described cenesthesic symptoms of an electrical current circulating within her four left lower back teeth. These symptoms disappeared after taking amitriptyline（75 mg/day）for three months.
Discussion: Patients with oral cenesthopathy might comprise two groups within the spectrum of schizophrenia, or depression. Organic, age-related changes in the brain might also influence bodily sensations.
Conclusion: The first-line treatment for oral cenesthopathy should be psychotropic agents such as antipsychotics and/or antidepressants.
