title: Botulinum toxin injections for the treatment of hemifacial spasm over 16 years.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and side effects of botulinum toxin (BTX) in the treatment of hemifacial spasm (HFS). We also focused on the divergence between different injection techniques and commercial forms. We retrospectively evaluated 470 sessions of BTX injections administered to 68 patients with HFS. The initial time of improvement, duration and degree of improvement, and frequency and duration of adverse effects were analysed. Pretarsal and preseptal injections and Botox (Allergan, Irvine, CA, USA) and Dysport (Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, Paris, France) brands were compared in terms of efficacy and side effects, accompanied by a review of papers which reported BTX treatment of HFS. An average of 34.5 units was used per patient. The first improvement was felt after 8 days and lasted for 14.8 weeks. Patients experienced a 73.7% improvement. In 79.7% of injections, no adverse effect was reported, in 4.9% erythema, ecchymosis, and swelling in the injection area, in 3.6% facial asymmetry, in 3.4% ptosis, in 3.2% diplopia, and in 2.3% difficulty of eye closure was detected. Patients reported 75% improvement on average after 314 sessions of pretarsal injections and 72.7% improvement after 156 sessions of preseptal injections (p=0.001). The efficacy and side effects of Botox and Dysport were similar. BTX is an effective and safe treatment option for HFS. No difference was determined between Botox and Dysport, and pretarsal injection is better than preseptal injection regarding the reported degree of improvement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Ankara University School of Medicine, İbni Sina Hospital, Samanpazarı, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: drmsorgun79@yahoo.com.tr.
authors.forename: Mine Hayriye
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Sorgun
authors.affiliation: Deptartment of Neurodegeneration, Centre for Neurology and Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Tübingen University School of Medicine, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Rezzak
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Ankara University School of Medicine, İbni Sina Hospital, Samanpazarı, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yusuf Alper
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Akin
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Ankara University School of Medicine, İbni Sina Hospital, Samanpazarı, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fatma Nazli
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Mercan
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Ankara University School of Medicine, İbni Sina Hospital, Samanpazarı, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Muhittin Cenk
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Akbostanci
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018726:Anti-Dyskinesia Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D005260:Female; D019569:Hemifacial Spasm / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018726:Anti-Dyskinesia Agents; D001905:Botulinum Toxins; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A; C542869:abobotulinumtoxinA
keywords: Botox; Botulinum toxin; Dysport; Hemifacial spasm