Treatment of Frey's syndrome (gustatory sweating) and 'crocodile tears' (gustatory epiphora) with purified botulinum toxin.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether purified botulinum toxin might be as effective in the treatment of "crocodile tears" (gustatory epiphora) as it has been in the treatment of other hypersecretion syndromes such as Frey's syndrome (gustatory sweating).


METHODS
One patient with Frey's syndrome (gustatory sweating) was successfully treated with botulinum toxin. After this, two patients with chronic symptomatic crocodile tears (related to previous facial palsy) were treated with botulinum toxin injections into and around the lacrimal gland.


RESULTS
Both patients reported remarkable relief from symptoms and were observed to have no tearing while eating.


CONCLUSIONS
Purified botulinum toxin appears to be an effective treatment for crocodile tears.
Hofmann
R J
RJ
Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000187:drug effects*; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012008:Recurrence; D013547:Sweating, Gustatory / Q000188:drug therapy*
D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A