title: Beneficial effects of botulinum toxin type A in trigeminal neuralgia.
abstract: Botulinum toxin has been thoroughly studied as a potential tool in the treatment of several pain syndromes. Therefore, we assessed the clinical effects of botulinum toxin type A injections in 12 patients with otherwise unresponsive idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia. Patients were infiltrated with 20-50 units of botulinum toxin in trigger zones. Those who presented with mandibular involvement were also infiltrated in the masseter muscle. The patients were assessed on a weekly basis using the Visual Analogic Scale for pain. Ten of our patients reported a significant benefit from botulinum toxin injections, with reduction or even disappearance of pain, and remained pain free for as long as 60 days. Our findings suggest that botulinum toxin may represent a useful therapeutic tool in the management of patients with this entity.
authors.affiliation: Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Unit, Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina. c_zuniga_ramirez@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zúñiga
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Díaz
authors.forename: Fabián
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Piedimonte
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Micheli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A