Botulinum Toxin in the Management of Sialorrhoea in Acquired Brain Injury

Ir Med J. 2016 Jun 10;109(6):425.

Abstract

Sialorrhoea as a consequence of severe acquired brain injury can significantly negatively impact on quality of life. Medications used in its management have many side effects which can cause problems in the severely disabled. Botulinum toxin is an effective treatment of sialorrhoea in a number of neurological conditions but may also have a role to play in the management of sialorrhoea following severe ABI. We report on 4 cases of sialorrhoea following acquired brain injury causing a variety of problems, whose parotid glands were injected with Botulinum toxin type A (Dysport) 50mu each, under ultrasound guidance. All cases had a clinically and statistically significant reduction in drooling as measured by the teacher drooling scale (p=0.005) and carers Visual Analogue Scale (p=0.012). There were no side effects reported. Botulinum toxin is an effective treatment for sialorrhoea associated with acquired brain injury.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A / therapeutic use*
  • Brain Injuries / complications*
  • Humans
  • Nervous System Diseases / drug therapy
  • Neuromuscular Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Parotid Gland
  • Quality of Life
  • Sialorrhea / drug therapy*
  • Sialorrhea / etiology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Neuromuscular Agents
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A
  • abobotulinumtoxinA