Applications of Botulinum Toxin at a Neurology Clinic: An Eleven-year Experience

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to report our experience with Botulinum toxin (BoNT) in the treatment of various neurologic conditions.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 128 patients who received BoNT in our Neurology clinic during an 11-year period (January 2003 to December 2014). All patients received BoNT type A injections.

RESULTS: A total of 858 injections of BoNT were administered to 128 patients. Seventy (54.7%) patients with hemifacial spasm had 456 injection sessions, 24 (18.8%) patients with blepharospasm had 209 injection sessions, 21 (16.4%) patients with cervical dystonia had 145 injection sessions, 8 (6.3%) patients with spasticity had 29 injection sessions, 3 (2.3%) patients with migraine-type headache had 14 injection sessions, 1 (0.8%) patient with sialorrhea had 3 injection sessions, and 1 (0.8%) patient with upper-extremity dystonia underwent 2 injection sessions. The mean onset of effects after injection was 7.11±2.34 days, the duration of effect was 13.0±5.46 weeks, and the amount of improvement was 61.5±16.7% in all patients. A total of 27 (3.14%) adverse effects were recorded in 858 injection sessions. The adverse effects were mild and tolerable.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our results show that BoNT type A is an effective and safe therapy for various types of neurologic conditions.