title: Botulinum toxin and intractable trigeminal neuralgia.
abstract: The effects of botulinum toxin have been demonstrated in pain syndromes such as migraine, tension headache, and postherpetic neuralgia. With this background data in hand, the authors planned a randomized, open-ended study to investigate the efficacy of botulinum injections in cases of refractory trigeminal neuralgia. In 8 patients with trigeminal neuralgia, 100 U botulinum toxin was injected into the region of the zygomatic arch. The results of their statistical analyses demonstrated that the medication can be effective in treating trigeminal neuralgia. The patients did not develop any significant adverse effects. Botulinum toxin can be used in the treatment of refractory trigeminal neuralgia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Dr. Lütfi Kirdar Kartal Research and Education Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. uturkboru@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ulkü
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Türk
authors.forename: Selen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ilhan
authors.forename: Recep
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alp
authors.forename: Haydar
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sur
mesh_terms: D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A