title: Quantitative assessment of parkinsonian sialorrhea and results of treatment with botulinum toxin.
abstract: Aim: To assess quantitatively sialorrhea in Parkinson's disease (PD) and the efficacy of botulinum toxin (BOTOX) in its treatment.Material: 11 patients with a clinical diagnosis of idiopathic PD and drooling were assessed at least two points on the UPDRS Part II and 14 control subjects.Methods: Salivation was measured by weighing dental rolls before, and 2min after, insertion at six points of highest secretion of saliva in the mouth (buccal vestibule, and sublingual area). PD patients were assessed before and 1 week after injections of five units of BOTOX into each parotid salivary gland and the results were compared to the salivation production of controls.Results: Average secretion of saliva in PD patients was significantly higher than in controls-0.39+/-0.4g/2min. (range: 0.02-1.82) vs 0.19+/-0.16g/2min. (range: 0.02-0.98) (P=0.03). After treatment, the average secretion of saliva in PD patients decreased to 0.25+/-0.26g/2min. (range: 0.004-0.99) and did not differ significantly from controls. Nine patients improved also according to UPDRS. No side effects were observed in any of the patients injected.Conclusion: Botulinum toxin may be an effective and safe treatment of parkinsonian sialorrhea.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Medical University of Warsaw, U1 Banacha 1a, 02-097 Warszawa, Warsaw, Poland
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Potulska