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

Abstract

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