title: Botulinum toxin treatment for cricopharyngeal dysfunction.
abstract: Hypertonicity and spasticity of the cricopharyngeal muscle (CPM) often result in dysphagia characterized by difficulty passing a bolus through the upper esophageal sphincter. Past treatments for this problem have included mechanical dilation and endoscopic and transcervical cricopharyngeal myotomy. More recently, botulinum toxin injections into the CPM have been successful, but only in isolated case studies and small series. This study reports pre- and post-botulinum toxin A injection results for 12 subjects, including patient ratings of symptom severity, changes noted during modified barium swallow studies, and, in some cases, manometry of the upper esophageal sphincter. Results indicate that botulinum toxin A treatment provided significant improvement in swallowing as indicated by patient symptom ratings and investigator ratings of function from modified barium swallow studies. Greater improvement was seen in those with more isolated CPM or Xth nerve dysfunction rather than those with more global dysphagia abnormalities.
authors.affiliation: Voice and Swallowing Laboratory, Research Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri 64131, USA. gshaw@kcnet.com
authors.forename: G Y
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Searl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A