Botulinum toxin in the treatment of sialorrhea

Abstract

Most treatments for sialorrhea are unsatisfactory. Surgery and radiotherapy of salivary glands are very invasive procedure and they are indicated in the treatment of severe cases. In recent times, botulinum toxin has been used for therapy of sialorrhea because it blocks neuroglandular transmission. Material and methods : 19 patients with sialorrhea caused by neurological disorders were treated with botulinum toxin type A. The toxin was injected into parotid salivary glands, with or without ultrasound guidance. The level of the saliva was estimated before and after the treatment using questions about sialorrhea from the UPRDS scale for Parkinson's disease. All of the data were processed by using descriptive statistics and T -test. Results : 14 men and 5 women were treated, mean age was 62.4±16.9 years (24–77). Average dose of botulinum toxin type A was 103.9±27.9 U (64–160). The toxin was injected with (7) and without ultrasound guidance (12). Time needed for starting therapy effects was 1–21 days (7.91±5.522). Score before therapy was 2–4 (3.1±0.0678) and after therapy was 0–3 (1.823±0.088). The results of this study show a significant improvement ( t =5.638; p