A comparative study of efficacy of intralesional corticosteroids and hyaluronidase therapy with and without ultrasound therapy in patients with oral submucous fibrosis

Background: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a potentially malignant disorder affecting any part of the oral cavity, sometimes pharynx associated with trismus and burning sensation. Physical therapies such as ultrasound therapy was found to have therapeutic benefits of decreasing inflammation and accelerating healing process in OSMF patients. Hence, this study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic benefit of ultrasound treatment when compared to empirical combination of intralesional dexamethasone and hyaluronidase treatment alone in OSMF patients. Objectives: To evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy of intralesional infiltration of 2 ml dexamethasone (4 mg/ml) + hyaluronidase 1500 IU, ultrasound therapy in combination with intralesional infiltration and only ultrasound therapy, in reducing the signs and symptoms in patients with OSMF. Materials and Methods: The present study was performed in the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, with a total sample of 33 participants grouped into Group A (intralesional infiltration of 2 ml dexamethasone 4 mg/ml + hyaluronidase 1500 IU dissolved in 0.5 ml of 2% lignocaine twice a week for 8 weeks), Group B (a combination treatment of intralesional infiltration twice a week for 8 weeks and ultrasound therapy for 15 days), and Group C (only ultrasound therapy for 15 days). The collected data were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS 16 software. Results: Statistical analysis revealed that there was a significant difference in M.M.O in Group A (1.3 +/- 0.48), Group B (2.55 +/- 0.75), and Group C (1.65 +/- 1.20) and also VAS score of 42% +/- 0.10, 41% +/- 0.13, and 15% +/- 0.05, respectively, after treatment. Conclusion: The results revealed that therapeutic ultrasound can be used as an adjuvant treatment, as it can alleviate the signs and symptoms of patients suffering from OSMF, thus improving the quality of life.