The effectiveness of ultrasound-guided injection of BTX-A in the management of sialorrhea in neurogenic dysphagia patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided injection of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) in treating sialorrhea.

METHODS: We recruited 32 sialorrhea subjects and they received an ultrasound-guided injection of BTX-A. The extent of salivation was evaluated according to the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Drooling Severity and Frequency Scale (DSFS), and Saliva Flow Rate (SFR). Laryngeal secretions were evaluated based on Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) rated according to the Murray Secretion Scale (MSS). We assessed the extent of salivation and laryngeal secretions before injection and at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after injection.

RESULTS: The scores for the VAS, DSFS-S, DSFS-F, and DSFS-T decreased significantly at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after injection compared with before injection ( p  < .05). Based on VAS, the efficacy was substantially higher at 2 and 4 weeks after injection than at 1 week after injection ( p  < .05). According to DSFS-S and DSFS-T, the efficacy was significantly higher at 4 weeks than at 1 week after injection ( p  < .05). The SFR and MSS scores at 1 and 2 weeks after injection were superior to those before injection ( p  < .05). Meanwhile, the SFR score 2 weeks after injection was superior to that 1 week after injection ( p  < .05).

CONCLUSION: The ultrasound-guided injection of BTX-A can effectively reduce saliva secretion in patients with neurogenic dysphagia. Furthermore, it has the advantages of early onset time and lasting curative effects, which indicates that clinical promotion and application of this technique are justified.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3.