Effects of Botulinum Toxin A Injection into Salivary Glands of Patients with Brain Lesion Suffering from Posterior Drooling

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasouond-guided salivary gland injection of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) for posterior drooling. METHOD: 11 patients with brain lesion (9 cerebral palsy, 1 hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and 1 mental retardation) with posterior drooling (an initial PDAS score greater than 2) and related pulmonary problems were recruited. Drooling severity was measured at baseline, 4 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after botulinum toxin A injection, by using Teacher Drooling Scale (TDS), Visual Analogue Scales (VAS), Drooling Score System (DSS)-severity, frequency and Posterior Drooling/Aspiration System (PDAS). RESULTS: The TDS, DSS-severity, DSS-frequency, VAS, PDAS were significantly reduced at 4 weeks and 3 months after BTX-A injection into salivary glands compared to pre-injection (p<0.05). However, there were no significant changes at 6 months compared to pre-injection level. CONCLUSION: BTX-A injection into salivary glands may improve anterior drooling in patients with brain lesions. Furthermore BTX-A injection into salivary glands may also decrease the posterior drooling which might related to respiratory symptoms in aspiration pneumonia.