Successful Treatment of Drooling in Children with Neurological Disorders with Botulinum Toxin A or B

Abstract

Drooling is a common and severe problem in children with neurological disorders and is caused by a disturbed coordination of orofacial and palatolingual muscles. Botulinum toxin could be a successful option to reduce excessive sialorrhea in children with neurological disorders. In 30 children with cerebral palsy or neurodegenerative disorder we injected under ultrasound guidance either botulinum toxin A or botulinum toxin B into the parotid and submandibular glands on both sides. All injections were well tolerated without general anaesthesia. Drooling severity at baseline and reduction of sialorrhea during treatment was measured using a parent's questionnaire and rated using the Teachers Drooling Scale (TDS). Reduction of sialorrhea was achieved two weeks after injection, with a positive effect lasting about three to four months in most children. 83% showed a good response to botulinum toxin after first injection, but only in 50% treatment was continued. We found no significant differences between botulinum toxin A or B. Side effects were observed in 5 children with viscous saliva and in one child a unilateral parotitis was observed. Treatment of drooling with botulinum toxin into the salivary glands is a safe and easy therapeutic option for children with neurological disorders to improve life quality.