Frey syndrome: treatment with type A botulinum toxin.

Abstract

Frey syndrome was first described by Baillarger in 1853. Frey provided a detailed analysis and description as "auriculotemporal syndrome" in 1923. According to the literature, even the most recent therapeutic measures described for the treatment of patients with Frey syndrome have little chance of success and a high incidence of side effects. Thus, a type of treatment is desirable that can suppress the symptoms of Frey syndrome and can offer a good success rate, minimum invasiveness, and few side effects. The experience of the authors and data from the literature confirmed the efficacy of type A botulinum toxin treatment for patients with Frey syndrome up to a maximum observation period of 3 years. In the current study, seven patients with severe, symptomatic Frey syndrome after parotidectomy were treated successfully with type A botulinum toxin. The method of local, intracutaneous treatment with type A botulinum toxin for patients with Frey syndrome is effective, virtually side-effect free, and minimally invasive.