[Botulinum toxin for the treatment of spastic entropion. Case report]. / Botulinumtoxintherapie beim spastischen Entropium. Fallbericht.

Spastic entropion is a rare condition that predominantly affects older people. We report on a 74-year-old dementia patient who was successfully treated by botulinum toxin injections into the lower eyelid, thereby avoiding lid correction surgery. For patients with an increased risk of eyelid surgery, symptomatic therapy comprising botulinum toxin injections to the lower eyelid should be considered as an alternative treatment.

[Hypersalivation - inauguration of the S2k Guideline (AWMF) in short form]. / Hypersalivation - Ersterstellung der S2k-Leitlinie (AWMF) in gekürzter Darstellung.

Hypersalivation describes a relatively excessive salivary flow, which wets the patient himself and his surroundings. It may result because of insufficient oro-motor function, dysphagia, decreased central control and coordination. This reduces social interaction chances and burdens daily care. Multidisciplinary diagnostic and treatment evaluation is recommended already at early stage and focus on dysphagia, and saliva aspiration. Therefore, a multidisciplinary S2k guideline was developed. Diagnostic tools such as fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing and videofluoroscopic swallowing studies generate important data on therapy selection and control. Especially traumatic and oncologic cases profit from swallowing therapy programmes in order to activate compensation mechanisms. In children with hypotonic oral muscles, oralstimulation plates can induce a relevant symptom release because of the improved lip closure. In acute hypersalivation, the pharmacologic treatment with glycopyrrolate and scopolamine in various applications is useful but its value in long-term usage critical. The injection of botulinum toxin into the salivary glands has shown safe and effective results with long lasting saliva reduction. Surgical treatment should be reserved for isolated cases. External radiation is judged as ultima ratio. Therapy effects and symptom severity has to be followed, especially in neurodegenerative cases. The resulting xerostomia should be critically evaluated by the responsible physician regarding oral and dental hygiene.

[Botulinum toxin to treat sweat caused sequelae in patients with hearing aids, active middle ear implants and cochlear implants]. / Regulierung der periaurikulären Schweissproduktion durch Botulinumtoxin A zur Sicherung von Funktion und Tragekomfort von Hörgeräten, Mittelohr- und Cochleaimplantaten.

The production of sweat in the temporal skin region may be a serious problem for patients with hearing aids, active middle ear implants or cochlear implants. We report on two patients suffering from a loss of function of their hearing aid and a reduction of the "wear comfort" of an active middle ear implant. The patients underwent intracutaneous botulinum toxin (BTX) treatment of the temporal skin region. In both patients a distinct improvement of their complaints occurred, enabling them to use their hearing aids and active middle ear implants continuously. BTX injections are suited to improve sweat-caused complaints in patients with hearing aids, active middle ear implants and cochlear implants.

[Botulinum toxin in ENT medicine]. / Botulinum-Toxin in der Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde.

In otorhinolaryngology, botulinum toxin is a suitable therapeutic option in the muscular and the autonomic nervous system concerning dysfunctions. Respecting some special aspects, it is an effective treatment for disorders of different etiology with very few side-effects. The positive therapeutic effect is temporarily limited, so that the patients need further treatment. Beside the classical indications like the facial hyperkinesias (i.e. blepharospasms, hemifacial spasm) the treatment of complex dystonias (oromandibular dystonia, laryngeal dystonia, cervical dystonia), gustatory sweating, hypersalivation and crocodile tears is successful. Botulinum toxin is an alternative treatment of tension type headache and migraine. A new indication of botulinum toxin application may lay in the treatment of nasal hypersecretion through the effect on the nasal glands.

[Botulinum toxin in otorhinolaryngology]. / Praktische Anwendung von Botulinumtoxin im Kopf-Hals-Bereich.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Through its anticholinergic effect, botulinum toxin is a suitable therapeutic option for dysfunctions of the muscular and the autonomic nervous system. PATIENTS/METHODS: Beside the classical indications like facial hyperkinesis (i.e. blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm), the treatment of complex dystonias (oromandibular dystonia, spasmodic dystonia, cervical dystonia), gustatory sweating, hypersalivation and crocodile tears is successful. Botulinum toxin is an alternative treatment of tension type headache and migraine. A new indication of botulinum toxin application may involve the treatment of nasal hypersecretion through the effect on the nasal glands. RESULTS: The positive therapeutic effect starts a few days after treatment and lasts longer in disorders of the autonomic nervous system. Because of its temporally limited therapeutic effect, the patients need further treatment. Side-effects are rare. CONCLUSIONS: Botulinum toxin is an effective treatment for a variety disorders with different etiologies and has very few side effects.

[Oromandibular dystonia. Clinical forms, diagnosis and examples of therapy with botulinum toxin]. / Oromandibuläre Dystonien - Klinische Formen, Diagnostik und Therapiebeispiele mit Botulinum Toxin -

BACKGROUND: The present study reports on our experience with clinical aspects and therapy of oromandibular dystonia (OMD) with botulinum toxin A. OMD is a very rare form of focal dystonias. The clinical symptoms can vary considerably, depending on the musculature affected. PATIENTS: The various clinical forms are described. The description of the diagnostic analysis and the therapy with botulinum toxin A is explained with reference to the patients. In these cases, injections are made into the musculature of the base of the mouth, the muscles involved in chewing, the extrinsic muscles of the tongue and the caudal facial musculature. RESULTS: Most of the patients showed an improvement of their symptoms. The average dose of Botox(R) used was 35.4+/-23.6 units. The duration of the effect was 14+/-9.2 weeks on average. CONCLUSION: The therapy for OMD using botulinum toxin A has proved to be successful, the amount of improvement in this form of dystonia is, however, lower in comparison to other forms of mobility disorders in the head and neck region.

Successful management of drooling with botulinum toxin A in neurologically disabled children.

OBJECTIVES: The present study investigates the effect of topical injections of botulinum toxin A into the cephalic salivary glands of children with chronic hypersalivation due to neurodegenerative diseases. METHODS: Five children with hypersalivation due to severe neurological diseases received, under ultrasound guidance, a total of 50-65 units of botulinum toxin A (Botox) into the parotid and submandibular glands on both sides. All injections were tolerated without local anaesthesia. Before and 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after toxin injection, salivary flow rates and the concentrations of total protein, alpha-amylase, acid phosphatase, kallikrein, and immunoglobulin A were measured in the secretions; simultaneously, the patients were clinically examined with regard to severity of symptoms, and their salivary glands were subjected to ultrasound study. RESULTS: A distinct improvement of symptoms within the first 2 weeks following toxin administration were reported by the parents. Sialometry revealed considerably reduced flow rates but sialochemistry showed an increase of amylase activity. Ultrasound examination did not reveal any changes of the salivary parenchyma, and side-effects were absent. CONCLUSION: Treatment of drooling by topical injection of botulinum toxin A into the salivary glands is a reliable and also side-effect-free therapeutic option for children with neurological disorders. All children involved in our study experienced a distinct improvement of their quality of life.