Botulinum toxin type A for poststroke cricopharyngeal muscle dysfunction.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) in poststroke patients with cricopharyngeal muscle dysfunction.


METHODS
Before-after trial.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
Eight poststroke patients.


METHODS
BTX-A injection into the cricopharyngeal muscle under endoscope guidance for poststroke cricopharyngeal muscle dysfunction.


METHODS
Clinical symptom score, disability rating scale for swallowing impairment, videofluoroscopic swallowing study, and upper esophageal sphincter (UES) manometry.


RESULTS
Clinical symptom score, disability rating scale for swallowing impairment, residue in piriform sinus, and UES pressure were all significantly improved at 2 weeks after BTX-A injection compared with evaluations before injection (P<.05). The effects on the clinical symptom score and disability rating scale for swallowing impairment continued to be significantly improved to 12 weeks after injection (P<.05). However, the residue in piriform sinus and the UES pressure at 12 weeks postinjection were reduced compared with before-injection evaluations; these results were not significant. The pharyngeal transit time was not changed after injection. There were no side effects observed in the patients studied.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the present study suggest that BTX-A injection may be an effective and safe treatment in patients with poststroke cricopharyngeal muscle dysfunction.
Kim
Deog Young
DY
Department and Research Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Park
Chang-il
CI
Ohn
Suk Hoon
SH
Moon
Ja Young
JY
Chang
Won Hyuk
WH
Park
Seung-woo
SW
D000368:Aged; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D049631:Esophageal Sphincter, Upper / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*
D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A