[Botulinum toxin in the treatment of facial dystonia: evaluation of its efficacy and patients' satisfaction along the treatment].
OBJECTIVE
To study the efficiency of botulinum toxin treatment in facial dystonia patients and their satisfaction along treatment.


METHODS
Retrospective study of 42 facial dystonia cases followed at the Oculoplastic Surgery Department of the "Hospital das Clínicas" of the University of São Paulo.


RESULTS
Following the first injections, 45.2% of the patients scored the improvement of the spasms between 9-10, 35.7% scored between 7-8, 16.7% between 5-6 and only one patient scored the improvement of the spasm as 4. According to the remission time of the symptoms, 4.8% of the patients reported between 5-6 months, 64.2% between 3-4 months and 31% reported the need for a new injection after 1-2 months of the previous injection. During treatment, 76.1% of the patients maintained the same score for spasm improvement after the botulinum toxin injection, 19.1% reported improvement and only 4.8% noted worsening of efficiency of the last injections. Along the follow-up, 64.2% reported no change in the time of return of the symptoms, 16.7% had increased and 19.1% had decreased remission time of the symptoms. After injections, 19% of the patients presented side effects and 73.8% of the patients complained of mild to moderate discomfort during the injection.


CONCLUSIONS
Botulinum toxin was efficient and no change of efficiency along the time was observed. Side effects are few and the tolerance to injections are good. It is a good alternative in order to improve quality of life of these patients avoiding functional blindness caused by these diseases.
Costa
Patrícia Gravito
PG
Departamento de Oftalmologia e Otorrinolaringologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP. patriciagrativol@yahoo.com.br
Aoki
Líbia
L
Saraiva
Fábio Perenes
FP
Matayoshi
Suzana
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018726:Anti-Dyskinesia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001764:Blepharospasm / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020821:Dystonic Disorders; D005260:Female; D019569:Hemifacial Spasm / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018726:Anti-Dyskinesia Agents; D001905:Botulinum Toxins