Parotid gland injections of botulinum toxin a are effective in treating sialorrhea in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
: The objective of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of botulinum toxin A in ameliorating refractory sialorrhea and improving quality of life in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.


METHODS
: Six patients with bulbar ALS received bilateral parotid gland injections of botulinum toxin A.


RESULTS
: No adverse effects occurred. Tissue use decreased in 5 of 7 patients at a dose of 10 units and in 3 of 4 patients at a dose of 20 units. Self-reported quality of life did not change in most.


CONCLUSIONS
: Parotid gland injections of botulinum toxin appear safe and may be helpful in some patients with ALS for the treatment of sialorrhea.
Scott
Kevin R
KR
From the *Department of Neurology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA; and the daggerDepartment of Neurology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas, NV.
Kothari
Milind J
MJ
Venkatesh
Y Swami
YS
Murphy
Tamara
T
Simmons
Zachary
Z