Efficacy of botulinum toxin type-A and swallowing treatment for oropharyngeal dysphagia recovery in a patient with lateral medullary syndrome

Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2017 Oct;53(5):798-801. doi: 10.23736/S1973-9087.17.04499-9. Epub 2017 Mar 6.

Abstract

Background: Wallenberg's syndrome (WS) is known as posterior inferior cerebellar artery syndrome. Dysphagia has been reported from 51% to 94% of the patients, ranging from mild to severe.

Case report: We reported a case of a patient (male; 52 years) with WS. MRI showed an intense hypodense area in the dorsolateral part of the ponto-medullary junction. The clinical signs were severe dysphagia, fed by PEG (FOIS 1; PAS 7), sialorrhea, trismus and ataxia.

Clinical rehabilitation impact: Dysphagia was treated by botulinum toxin type-A (BoNT-A), which was injected into the parotid and submandibular salivary glands, temporalis and masseter muscles, cricopharyngeal muscle associated with specific swallowing exercise and food trails. The 3-months follow-up showed significant saliva reduction and improvement of swallowing to from PEG feeding to consistent oral intake of food (FOIS 3, PAS 5). The treatment with BoNT-A combined with swallowing rehabilitation was fundamental in order to restore the swallowing functions.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A / administration & dosage*
  • Deglutition Disorders / diagnostic imaging
  • Deglutition Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Deglutition Disorders / etiology
  • Fluoroscopy
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intralesional
  • Lateral Medullary Syndrome / complications
  • Lateral Medullary Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Lateral Medullary Syndrome / diagnostic imaging
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Recovery of Function
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A