Episodic supersalivation (idiopathic paroxysmal sialorrhea): description of a new clinical syndrome.

Four patients have been identified as experiencing a form of sialorrhea not previously described in the dental literature. The pattern of salivation is atypical in that it is excessive and is episodic in nature, with paroxysms of secretion occurring 1 to 2 times per week and lasting for 2 to 5 minutes. The episodes are preceded by a prodrome consisting of nausea or epigastric pain, but without progression to vomiting. Because of the unknown cause and spontaneous occurrence, the syndrome is being called idiopathic paroxysmal sialorrhea (IPS).