Botulinum Toxin: Basic Science and Clinical Uses in Otolaryngology

The role of botulinum toxin as a therapeutic agent is expanding rapidly in otolaryngology. Botulinum toxin is a protease that blocks the release of acetylcholine from nerve terminals. Its effects are transient and nondestructive, and largely limited to the area in which it is administered. These eff...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Laryngoscope 2001-02, Vol.111 (2), p.218-226
Main Authors: Blitzer, Andrew, Sulica, Lucian
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
blepharospasm
Botulinum toxin
Botulinum Toxins, Type A - administration & dosage
Botulinum Toxins, Type A - adverse effects
Cholinergic system
cricopharyngeal spasm
dystonia
facial lines
Facial synkinesis
Frey syndrome
hemifacial spasm
Humans
Injections, Intramuscular
laryngeal disease
Medical sciences
migraine
Neuropharmacology
Neurotransmitters. Neurotransmission. Receptors
Non tumoral diseases
oromandibular dystonia
Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases - drug therapy
Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases - etiology
Otorhinolaryngology (head neck, general aspects and miscellaneous)
Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
spasmodic dysphonia
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Summary:The role of botulinum toxin as a therapeutic agent is expanding rapidly in otolaryngology. Botulinum toxin is a protease that blocks the release of acetylcholine from nerve terminals. Its effects are transient and nondestructive, and largely limited to the area in which it is administered. These effects are also graded according to dose, allowing for individualized treatment of patients and disorders. Botulinum toxin has been used primarily to treat disorders of excessive or inappropriate muscle contraction. In the field of otolaryngology, these include spasmodic dysphonia, oromandibular dystonia, and blepharospasm; vocal tics and stuttering; cricopharyngeal achalasia; various tremors and tics; hemifacial spasm; temporomandibular joint disorders; and a number of cosmetic applications. Botulinum toxin treatment has recently begun to show some benefit in the control of pain from migraine and tension headache. It may also prove useful in the control of autonomic dysfunction, as in Frey syndrome, sialorrhea, and rhinorrhea. In over 20 years of use in humans, botulinum toxin has accumulated a considerable safety record, and in many cases represents relief for thousands of patients unaided by other therapy.
ISSN:0023-852X
1531-4995
DOI:10.1097/00005537-200102000-00006