Botulinum toxin injection into the cricopharyngeal muscle for dysphagia: report of 2 successful cases

• Published in: Nippon Jibi Inkoka Gakkai Kaiho Vol. 106; no. 7; p. 754
• Main Authors: Yokoyama, Tomokazu, Asai, Masao, Kumada, Masanobu, Usui, Shinji, Kobayasi, Takeo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japan 01.07.2003
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Botulinum Toxins - administration & dosage; Cerebral Infarction - complications; Deglutition Disorders - drug therapy; Deglutition Disorders - etiology; Humans; Injections, Intralesional; Male; Pharyngeal Muscles
• ISSN: 0030-6622
• DOI: 10.3950/jibiinkoka.106.754

Dysphagia is frequently observed in patients with sequelae after multiple cerebral infarctions and those with neuromyopathy. Dysphagia in these patients can be successfully treated by laryngeal suspension and cricopharyngeal myotomy. Surgery is not indicated in senile patients with serious complications, where conservative treatment is performed. We injected botulinum toxin into the right cricopharyngeal muscle with excellent results in two dysphagic patients with multiple cerebral infarction who refused surgery. There two cases developed dysphasia after multiple cerebral infarction, where surgical therapy was not indicated. Dysphagia is successfully treated by 5 units of botulinum toxin injected into the cricopharyngeal muscle. Botulinum toxin injection is considered useful for dysphagia in patients in whom surgery is not indicated. The effect of botulinum toxin lasts for 3 to 4 months. Injection of botulinum toxin is useful for patients with temporary dysphasia after cerebral infarction and soon improves swallowing with the assistance of rehabilitation.