Regional diffusion of botulinum toxin in facial muscles: a randomised double-blind study and a consideration for clinical studies with split-face design

Acta Derm Venereol. 2015 Nov;95(8):948-51. doi: 10.2340/00015555-2093.

Abstract

Despite the extensive use of botulinum toxin A (BoNTA) in medical and cosmetic treatments, the potential spreading of BoNTA to surrounding tissues remains unknown. A patient with hemifacial paralysis upon blepharospasm treatment with low dose of BoNTA, prompted us to investigate the spreading effect. A randomised, double-blind study was conducted in which 5 healthy women (33-52 years) were treated with different doses of onabotulinum toxin unilaterally in the corrugator muscle. Parameters of efficacy and diffusion (CMAP; EMG and jitter analysis) in both glabellar and frontalis muscles were assessed at baseline, 2 and 4 weeks following BoNTA injection. CMAP of the treated glabellar muscles was reduced to approximately 40% in all dose groups. Additionally, contralateral CMAP reduction was observed in 3 of 5 subjects. These data confirm regional diffusion of BoNTA in facial muscle application, which raises question on the reliability of split-face models in BoNTA studies.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholine Release Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Acetylcholine Release Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Acetylcholine Release Inhibitors / pharmacokinetics*
  • Action Potentials / drug effects
  • Adult
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Blepharospasm / drug therapy
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A / administration & dosage
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A / adverse effects
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A / pharmacokinetics*
  • Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic / methods
  • Diffusion
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Electromyography
  • Facial Muscles / drug effects
  • Facial Muscles / metabolism*
  • Facial Paralysis / chemically induced
  • Female
  • Forehead
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Pilot Projects
  • Prospective Studies
  • Research Design

Substances

  • Acetylcholine Release Inhibitors
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A