Abductor paralysis after botox injection for adductor spasmodic dysphonia.
OBJECTIVE
Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections into the thyroarytenoid muscles are the current standard of care for adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD). Reported adverse effects include a period of breathiness, throat pain, and difficulty with swallowing liquids. Here we report multiple cases of bilateral abductor paralysis following Botox injections for ADSD, a complication previously unreported.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
Patients that received Botox injections for spasmodic dysphonia between January 2000 and October 2009 were evaluated. Patients with ADSD were identified. The number of treatments received and adverse effects were noted. For patients with bilateral abductor paralysis, age, sex, paralytic Botox dose, prior Botox dose, and course following paralysis were noted.


RESULTS
From a database of 452 patients receiving Botox, 352 patients had been diagnosed with ADSD. Of these 352 patients, eight patients suffered bilateral abductor paralysis, and two suffered this complication twice. All affected patients were females over the age of 50 years. Most patients had received treatments prior to abductor paralysis and continued receiving after paralysis. Seven patients recovered after a brief period of activity restrictions, and one underwent a tracheotomy. The incidence of abductor paralysis after Botox injection for ADSD was 0.34%.


CONCLUSIONS
Bilateral abductor paralysis is a rare complication of Botox injections for ADSD, causing difficulty with breathing upon exertion. The likely mechanism of paralysis is diffusion of Botox around the muscular process of the arytenoid to the posterior cricoarytenoid muscles. The paralysis is temporary, and watchful waiting with restriction of activity is the recommended management.
Department of Otolaryngology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Naren N
NN
Venkatesan
Michael M
MM
Johns
Edie R
ER
Hapner
John M
JM
DelGaudio
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055154:Dysphonia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007821:Laryngeal Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology*
D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A