Botulinum toxin A for trismus in cephalic tetanus.

Arq Neuropsiquiatr

Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brasil.

Published: September 1994

Cephalic tetanus is a localized form of tetanus. As in generalized forms, trismus is a prominent feature of the disease, leading to considerable difficulty in feeding, swallowing of the saliva and mouth hygiene. These difficulties often precede respiratory problems and aspiration bronchopneumonia is a frequent life-threatening complication. Muscle relaxants other than curare drugs may show a limited benefit for relieving trismus. Tetanospasmin, the tetanic neurotoxin, and botulinum toxin share many similarities, having a closely related chemical structure, an origin from related microorganisms (Clostridium tetani and Clostridium botulinum, respectively), and presumably, the same mechanisms of action in the neuron. The difference between the two lies in their peculiar neurospecificity, acting in different neurons. Injection of minute doses of botulinum toxin in the muscles involved in focal dystonias or other localized spastic disorders have proved to be very effective in these conditions. We describe the use of botulinum toxin A in the successful treatment of trismus in a patient suffering from cephalic tetanus. We believe that this form of treatment may be of value in lowering the risk of pulmonary complications in tetanic patients.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s0004-282x1994000300021DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

botulinum toxin
16
cephalic tetanus
12
botulinum
5
trismus
4
toxin trismus
4
trismus cephalic
4
tetanus
4
tetanus cephalic
4
tetanus localized
4
localized form
4

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!