Treatment of gustatory sweating (Frey's syndrome) with botulinum toxin A.
BACKGROUND
Gustatory sweating is a common complication of parotid surgery. Injection of botulinum toxin A has been reported as a safe and effective treatment option for patients with Frey's syndrome.


METHODS
A total of 69 patients who had undergone superficial parotidectomy because of adenoma were evaluated with respect to the incidence of Frey's syndrome and treatment interest. Minor's iodine starch test was used to detect the affected skin area. Affected skin areas were documented using a digital camera; skin areas were evaluated morphometrically. A single injection of Botox per 1 cm(2) skin field was administered to those patients interested in treatment.


RESULTS
Of 43 patients (62%) with gustatory sweating, 33 patients requested treatment. The affected skin area varied from 16 cm(2) to 81 cm(2). The individual Botox dosage ranged from 16 to 80 IU. All relevant clinical symptoms of sweating disappeared within 1 week after a single injection. Treatment was well tolerated with no side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Botox A injection is a safe and effective treatment with long-lasting effects for patients with extensive gustatory sweating.
Eckardt
André
A
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hannover Medical University Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany. eckardt.andre@mh-hannover.de
Kuettner
Christian
C
D000236:Adenoma / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012008:Recurrence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013547:Sweating, Gustatory / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A