Ultrasound-guided botulinum toxin injections for treatment of drooling.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy of treatment of drooling by ultrasound-guided botulinum toxin injection of the salivary glands and to determine the optimal modalities of this procedure.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study is a retrospective review of patients treated for drooling by injection of 100 units of Botox(®) into the parotid and submaxillary glands between 2002 and 2008. Efficacy was evaluated by a quality of life questionnaire six weeks after the injections.

RESULTS

One hundred and eleven injection sessions were performed in 70 patients aged one to 84 years with a beneficial effect in 66% of cases. The most effective protocol was injection of 20 units of botulinum toxin into each submaxillary gland and 30 units of toxin into each parotid gland.

CONCLUSION

The treatment of drooling by Botox(®) injections into salivary glands is effective. The authors propose ultrasound-guided injection of both submaxillary glands and both parotid glands. These injections can be repeated in the case of recurrence of drooling.