Blocking of secretion in exocrine glands of the head and neck area with botulinum toxin A. Therapeutic option in the treatment of rare diseases

Background. Hypersecretion disorders of the exocrine glands of the head and neck area are a therapeutic problem in the field of otorhinolaryngology. I n the present study, we demonstrate the effectiveness of local injections o f botulinum toxin A to block secretions of exocrine glands of the head and neck area. Patients and methods. Four patients suffering from hypersecretion disorders received local injections of botulinum toxin A to patients suffered from d isorders of the salivary glands: one presented an idiopathic hypersialorrhe a and another a salivary fistula after parotidectomy. A third patient suffe red from epiphora and a further patient presented severe hyperhidrosis on t he pilose head region. In a retrospective clinical study, the outcome of th erapy was evaluated by clinical examination and chemical parameters. Results. Clear blocking of secretion in the treated glands could be demonst rated in all four cases. Possible side effects of the treatment could not b e observed. Conclusions. The present study was able to demonstrate a clear blocking of secretion of the exocrine glands of the head and neck region through botuli num toxin A, offering an improvement in therapy especially for the innovati ve indication of blocking the salivary glands of the head.