Botulinum toxin type A: an effective treatment to restore phonation in laryngectomized patients unable to voice. 2011

Luigi Bartolomei, and Sandro Zambito Marsala, and Gian Paolo Pighi, and Valentina Cristofori, and Giuseppe Pagano, and Massimo Pontarin, and Manuela Gioulis, and Corrado Marchini
Neurology, San Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza, Italy.

We evaluated the efficacy of Botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) as an alternative to surgical intervention to facilitate phonation in 34 laryngectomized patients (31 males and 3 women) who were unable to produce tracheoesophageal voice because of spasm of the middle and inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscles (PCM). EMG was recorded to confirm activity in these muscles during attempted vocalization. Parapharyngeal nerve block (Carbocaine 2%, 5 cc) was used to demonstrate short-term fluent voice after relaxation of the pharyngeal constrictor muscle. At a later occasion, 100 U of Botox (Allergan) in ten patients and 50 U in two patients were injected unilaterally at one location in the PCM percutaneously under EMG guidance. All patients then underwent a voice therapy program. In 11 out of 12 patients an improvement of phonation was evident after 24-48 h and it was long lasting. This result was also seen in a patient previously myotomized without improvement. Only one patient needed to be reinjected every 3 months. At a follow-up after 3 months the EMG recorded in four patients showed a low-amplitude or complete absence of activity in the treated muscle. No side effects developed. BTX therapy, especially when associated with the speech therapy, is efficacious in restoring voice to laryngectomees who are unable to voice because of spasm of the PCMs. Our results confirm previous reports. This method is our approach of choice in managing PCM spasm because it is non-invasive, not painful, has few or no side effects, and is frequently long-lasting.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007825 Laryngectomy Total or partial excision of the larynx. Laryngectomies
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009407 Nerve Block Interruption of NEURAL CONDUCTION in peripheral nerves or nerve trunks by the injection of a local anesthetic agent (e.g., LIDOCAINE; PHENOL; BOTULINUM TOXINS) to manage or treat pain. Chemical Neurolysis,Chemodenervation,Nerve Blockade,Block, Nerve,Blockade, Nerve,Blockades, Nerve,Blocks, Nerve,Chemical Neurolyses,Chemodenervations,Nerve Blockades,Nerve Blocks,Neurolyses, Chemical,Neurolysis, Chemical
D009465 Neuromuscular Agents Drugs used for their actions on skeletal muscle. Included are agents that act directly on skeletal muscle, those that alter neuromuscular transmission (NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCKING AGENTS), and drugs that act centrally as skeletal muscle relaxants (MUSCLE RELAXANTS, CENTRAL). Drugs used in the treatment of movement disorders are ANTI-DYSKINESIA AGENTS. Skeletal Muscle Relaxants,Neuromuscular Effect,Neuromuscular Effects,Agents, Neuromuscular,Effect, Neuromuscular,Effects, Neuromuscular,Muscle Relaxants, Skeletal,Relaxants, Skeletal Muscle
D010609 Pharyngeal Muscles The muscles of the PHARYNX are voluntary muscles arranged in two layers. The external circular layer consists of three constrictors (superior, middle, and inferior). The internal longitudinal layer consists of the palatopharyngeus, the salpingopharyngeus, and the stylopharyngeus. During swallowing, the outer layer constricts the pharyngeal wall and the inner layer elevates pharynx and LARYNX. Palatopharyngeus,Muscles of Pharynx,Palatopharyngeal Muscle,Salpingopharyngeus,Stylopharyngeus,Velopharyngeal Muscle,Muscle, Palatopharyngeal,Muscle, Pharyngeal,Muscle, Velopharyngeal,Muscles, Pharyngeal,Pharyngeal Muscle,Pharynx Muscle,Pharynx Muscles
D010699 Phonation The process of producing vocal sounds by means of VOCAL CORDS vibrating in an expiratory blast of air. Phonations
D003014 Clostridium botulinum A species of anaerobic, gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria in the family Clostridiaceae that produces proteins with characteristic neurotoxicity. It is the etiologic agent of BOTULISM in humans, wild fowl, HORSES; and CATTLE. Seven subtypes (sometimes called antigenic types, or strains) exist, each producing a different botulinum toxin (BOTULINUM TOXINS). The organism and its spores are widely distributed in nature.
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

Related Publications

Luigi Bartolomei, and Sandro Zambito Marsala, and Gian Paolo Pighi, and Valentina Cristofori, and Giuseppe Pagano, and Massimo Pontarin, and Manuela Gioulis, and Corrado Marchini
September 2004, Archives of neurology,
Luigi Bartolomei, and Sandro Zambito Marsala, and Gian Paolo Pighi, and Valentina Cristofori, and Giuseppe Pagano, and Massimo Pontarin, and Manuela Gioulis, and Corrado Marchini
September 2003, Headache,
Luigi Bartolomei, and Sandro Zambito Marsala, and Gian Paolo Pighi, and Valentina Cristofori, and Giuseppe Pagano, and Massimo Pontarin, and Manuela Gioulis, and Corrado Marchini
June 2018, Evidence-based dentistry,
Luigi Bartolomei, and Sandro Zambito Marsala, and Gian Paolo Pighi, and Valentina Cristofori, and Giuseppe Pagano, and Massimo Pontarin, and Manuela Gioulis, and Corrado Marchini
November 2013, The journal of headache and pain,
Luigi Bartolomei, and Sandro Zambito Marsala, and Gian Paolo Pighi, and Valentina Cristofori, and Giuseppe Pagano, and Massimo Pontarin, and Manuela Gioulis, and Corrado Marchini
February 1972, The Journal of laryngology and otology,
Luigi Bartolomei, and Sandro Zambito Marsala, and Gian Paolo Pighi, and Valentina Cristofori, and Giuseppe Pagano, and Massimo Pontarin, and Manuela Gioulis, and Corrado Marchini
February 2009, The journal of headache and pain,
Luigi Bartolomei, and Sandro Zambito Marsala, and Gian Paolo Pighi, and Valentina Cristofori, and Giuseppe Pagano, and Massimo Pontarin, and Manuela Gioulis, and Corrado Marchini
January 2002, Journal of back and musculoskeletal rehabilitation,
Luigi Bartolomei, and Sandro Zambito Marsala, and Gian Paolo Pighi, and Valentina Cristofori, and Giuseppe Pagano, and Massimo Pontarin, and Manuela Gioulis, and Corrado Marchini
October 1993, Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society,
Luigi Bartolomei, and Sandro Zambito Marsala, and Gian Paolo Pighi, and Valentina Cristofori, and Giuseppe Pagano, and Massimo Pontarin, and Manuela Gioulis, and Corrado Marchini
January 1951, Bollettino delle malattie dell'orecchio, della gola, del naso,
Luigi Bartolomei, and Sandro Zambito Marsala, and Gian Paolo Pighi, and Valentina Cristofori, and Giuseppe Pagano, and Massimo Pontarin, and Manuela Gioulis, and Corrado Marchini
January 2015, Indian dermatology online journal,
Copied contents to your clipboard!