Introduction Intraglandular injection of botulinum toxin A into the salivary glands is the effective treatment option for sialorrhoea in children with cerebral palsy or other neurological diseases without any severe side-effects. It results in transient denervation of the gland, which helps in reducing salivary secretion. The aim of this study was to evaluate histological changes in the rats’ parotid glands after accidental or intended intraglandular injection of botulinum toxin A in patients with bruxism or sialorrhoea. Materials and methods After 20 days of the botulinum toxin A injection, tissue specimens of the right parotid gland were obtained from 15 albino rats, while the specimens of left parotid gland were used as control. Ordinary light microscopy and electron microscopy were used to detect the morphological changes in the injected parotid glands. Results Morphological and ultrastructural analyses of the cell organelles and secretory granules showed a clear atrophy of the acini in glands injected with the botulinum toxin A. Acinar cells revealed significant morphologic variations in rough endoplasmic reticulum and degenerated mitochondria. There was a considerable variation in the size, shape and electron density of secretory vacuoles. The nucleus had an irregular shape and finely dispersed chromatin. Conclusion Intraglandular injection of botulinum toxin A induces structural and functional changes of the salivary glands, indicated by glandular atrophy. Thus, injection of botulinum toxin A into the salivary glands at a relatively low dose can be used as a treatment of choice for sialorrhoea. This is an easily performed procedure with low morbidity, and can be recommended as a first-line intervention in the treatment of adult sialorrhoea.
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