Premium
Botulinum toxin improves dysphagia associated with multiple sclerosis
Author(s) -
Restivo D. A.,
MarcheseRagona R.,
Patti F.,
Solaro C.,
Maimone D.,
Zappalá G.,
Pavone A.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
european journal of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.881
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1468-1331
pISSN - 1351-5101
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2010.03189.x
Subject(s) - medicine , dysphagia , botulinum toxin , multiple sclerosis , physical medicine and rehabilitation , anesthesia , surgery , psychiatry
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) for severe oro‐pharyngeal dysphagia associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). Patients and methods: BoNT/A was injected percutaneously into the hyperactive cricopharyngeal muscle of 14 dysphagic MS patients under electromyographic control. Patients were evaluated by videofluoroscopic and electromyographic examinations and by the Penetration/Aspiration Scale (PAS), at week 1, 4, 12, 16, 18, and 24 after BoNT/A injection. Results: All patients showed a significant improvement in all the swallowing outcome measures. Conclusion: No specific treatment for oro‐pharyngeal dysphagia related to MS has been described to date. Our preliminary findings suggest a potential benefit from BoNT/A treatment in MS patients with dysphagia associated with upper esophageal sphincter hyperactivity.