title: Botulinum toxin improves dysphagia associated with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) for severe oro-pharyngeal dysphagia associated with multiple sclerosis (MS).
  
  
  METHODS
  BoNT/A was injected percutaneously into the hyperactive cricopharyngeal muscle of 14 dysphagic MS patients under electromyographic control. Patients were evaluated by videofluoroscopic and electromyographic examinations and by the Penetration/Aspiration Scale (PAS), at week 1, 4, 12, 16, 18, and 24 after BoNT/A injection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients showed a significant improvement in all the swallowing outcome measures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No specific treatment for oro-pharyngeal dysphagia related to MS has been described to date. Our preliminary findings suggest a potential benefit from BoNT/A treatment in MS patients with dysphagia associated with upper esophageal sphincter hyperactivity.
authors: Department of Neurology, Nuovo Garibaldi Hospital, Catania, Italy. darestivo@libero.it
authors: D A
authors: DA
authors: Restivo
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Marchese-Ragona
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Patti
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Solaro
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Maimone
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Zappalá
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Pavone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010609:Pharyngeal Muscles / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A