Quantitative Reduction of Saliva Production with Botulinum Toxin Type B Injection into the Salivary Glands

Chaudhuri's Dashboard of Vitals in Parkinson's syndrome: an unmet need underpinned by real life clinical tests

We have recently published the notion of the "vitals" of Parkinson's, a conglomeration of signs and symptoms, largely nonmotor, that must not be missed and yet often not considered in neurological consultations, with considerable societal and personal detrimental consequences. This "dashboard," termed the Chaudhuri's vitals of Parkinson's, are summarized as 5 key vital symptoms or signs and comprise of (a) motor, (b) nonmotor, (c) visual, gut, and oral health, (d) bone health and falls, and finally (e) comorbidities, comedication, and dopamine agonist side effects, such as impulse control disorders. Additionally, not addressing the vitals also may reflect inadequate management strategies, leading to worsening quality of life and diminished wellness, a new concept for people with Parkinson's. In this paper, we discuss possible, simple to use, and clinically relevant tests that can be used to monitor the status of these vitals, so that these can be incorporated into clinical practice. We also use the term Parkinson's syndrome to describe Parkinson's disease, as the term "disease" is now abandoned in many countries, such as the U.K., reflecting the heterogeneity of Parkinson's, which is now considered by many as a syndrome.

Human Activity Intensity Assessment by Remote Sensing in the Water Source Area of the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project in China

Human activities have significantly affected the natural eco-environment, which could lead to land cover changes. The human activity intensity of land surface (HAILS) represent human activity at the regional scale and can be monitored efficiently over a long term based on land cover data collected by remote sensing techniques. In this study, we quantify the HAILS index for 2000, 2010, and 2015 based on land cover, and analyze its temporal and spatial variation to illustrate the potential influence of human activities on the water quality in the water source area of the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project (MR-SNWDP). The results show that from 2000 to 2015, the HAILS decreased in general but increased with the highest increment of 78.4% around water resources. The area showing high values of HAILS increased at a rate of 30.8% from 2000 to 2015. In the riparian zone around the water body, the HAILS rose at an increment of 0.68% in 2010 to 0.05% in 2015. On the basis of the variation of the HAILS, it has been revealed that human activities, increased mainly around water bodies, may increase the risk of water pollution.

Histological and immunohistochemical findings of the action of botulinum toxin in salivary gland: systematic review

The treatment of sialorrhea is necessary for the constant risks posed by hypersalivation. A new therapeutic option comes up with the application of botulinum toxin in salivary glands. However, little is known about its mechanism of action in glandular tissue. Based on the above, this work had the objective to systematically review the literature about the action of botulinum toxin on submandibular and parotid salivary glands tissues. Electronic search was performed in databases of great relevance for this study (PubMed, SciELO, HighWire, Crossref, Scopus, Science Direct, MEDLINE, OLDMEDLINE, Serials Database, NLM Catalog, LILACS and IBECS). Inclusion and exclusion criteria for articles were established, and a total number of 14 articles were selected and used. There are few publications that clarify how the salivary gland acini behave with application of botulinum toxin. Although, the immunohistochemical findings were consistent among authors, showing weak immunoreactivity in glands treated with botulinum toxin. Histometric data are divergent, requiring more detailed studies to answer the questions about the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin in salivary glands.

Botulinum Toxin A and B in sialorrhea: Long-term data and literature overview

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

In recent years, Botulinum Toxin has been shown to be efficacious and safe in the treatment of sialorrhea, but scanty data are available on its long term use. The aim of this study was to investigate adverse events, discriminate differences in safety, and evaluate the efficacy of long-term use of both abobotulinumtoxinA and rimabotulinumtoxinB ultrasound-guided injections for sialorrhea in a retrospective trial. Moreover we review the literature on this topic.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Consecutive patients with severe sialorrhea and receiving at least two ultrasound-guided intrasalivary glands abobotulinumtoxinA 250 U or rimabotulinumtoxinB 2500 U injections were included. Clinical and demographic data were collected. Safety and tolerability were assessed on the basis of patients' self-reports. Efficacy was assessed by recording the duration of benefit and by the Drooling Severity Scale and Drooling Frequency Scale 4 weeks after intervention. A review of literature was performed using 'Botulinum Toxin' and/or 'drooling' and/or 'sialorrhea' and/or 'hypersalivation' as keywords.

RESULTS

Sixty-five patients (32 Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and 33 Parkinson's Disease) were treated in a total of 317 sessions (181 rimabotulinumtoxinB and 136 abobotulinumtoxinA). Both serotypes induced a clear-cut benefit in 89% of injections. Mean benefit duration was 87 days (range 30-240), similar for abobotulinumtoxinA and rimabotulinumtoxinB but significantly shorter in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis group compared to Parkinson's Disease (p < 0.001). Older age was positively correlated to benefit duration (p = 0.003). Botulinum Toxin-related and injection-related side effects complicated respectively 8,2% and 1,5% of treatments. The only Botulinum Toxin-related adverse event was a change of saliva thickness, mostly rated mild to moderate and more frequent in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis patients (p = NS).

CONCLUSIONS

Both 250 U abobotulinumtoxinA and 2500 U rimabotulinumtoxinB administered by ultrasound-guided intrasalivary gland injection are safe and effective in treating sialorrhea, even in long-term follow-up. Older age is significantly associated with longer benefit duration. Parkinson's Disease patients showed a more favorable safety-efficacy ratio than did Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis patients, due to lower adverse events (p = NS) and longer benefit duration (p < 0.001).

Ultrasound-guided botulinum toxin injections in neurology: technique, indications and future perspectives

Botulinum toxin (BT) therapy is used in neurology to treat muscle hyperactivity disorders including dystonia, spasticity, cerebral palsy, hemifacial spasms and re-innervation synkinesias as well as exocrine gland hyperactivity disorders. To increase its therapeutic effect and to decrease adverse effects in adjacent tissues, exact BT placement is important. Ultrasonography (US) allows non-invasive, real-time imaging of muscular and glandular tissues and their surrounding structures. It can visualize, guide, and standardize the entire procedure of BT application. Small randomized studies suggest that US-guidance can improve therapeutic efficacy and reduce adverse effects of BT therapy when compared to conventional placement. US-guidance should be used in forearm muscles when functionality is important, and in selected leg muscles. It may be used for targeting distinct neck muscles in cervical dystonia. It is helpful for targeting the salivary glands. Here we review the technique, indications and future developments of US-guidance for BT injection in neurological disorders.

Botulinum toxin type b for the treatment of a sialocele after parotidectomy

BACKGROUND

A 41-year-old male patient developed a sialocele after partial parotidectomy for a parotid pleomorphic adenoma. The sialocele was effectively treated by a single injection with botulinum toxin type B combined with multiple needle aspirations.

METHODS

Ultrasound-guided infiltration of 2500 mouse-units of botulinum toxin type B in the residual parotid gland tissue under local anesthesia. Repeated needle aspirations were performed before and after the infiltration.

RESULTS

Ten days after the injection, the patient was free of any discomfort.

CONCLUSION

Botulinum toxin type B is effective in the management of postoperative sialocele after parotid gland surgery.

Dysautonomia rating scales in Parkinson's disease: sialorrhea, dysphagia, and constipation--critique and recommendations by movement disorders task force on rating scales for Parkinson's disease

Upper and lower gastrointestinal dysautonomia symptoms (GIDS)--sialorrhea, dysphagia, and constipation are common in Parkinson's disease (PD) and often socially as well as physically disabling for patients. Available invasive quantitative measures for assessing these symptoms and their response to therapy are time-consuming, require specialized equipment, can cause patient discomfort and present patients with risk. The Movement Disorders Society commissioned a task force to assess available clinical rating scales, critique their clinimetric properties, and make recommendations regarding their clinical utility. Six clinical researchers and a biostatistician systematically searched the literature for scales of sialorrhea, dysphagia, and constipation, evaluated the scales' previous use, performance parameters, and quality of validation data (if available). A scale was designated "Recommended" if the scale was used in clinical studies beyond the group that developed it, has been specifically used in PD reports, and clinimetric studies have established that it is a valid, reliable, and sensitive. "Suggested" scales met at least part of the above criteria, but fell short of meeting all. Based on the systematic review, scales for individual symptoms of sialorrhea, dysphagia, and constipation were identified along with three global scales that include these symptoms in the context of assessing dysautonomia or nonmotor symptoms. Three sialorrhea scales met criteria for Suggested: Drooling Severity and Frequency Scale (DSFS), Drooling Rating Scale, and Sialorrhea Clinical Scale for PD (SCS-PD). Two dysphagia scales, the Swallowing Disturbance Questionnaire (SDQ) and Dysphagia-Specific Quality of Life (SWAL-QOL), met criteria for Suggested. Although Rome III constipation module is widely accepted in the gastroenterology community, and the earlier version from the Rome II criteria has been used in a single study of PD patients, neither met criteria for Suggested or Recommended. Among the global scales, the Scales for Outcomes in PD-Autonomic (SCOPA-AUT) and Nonmotor Symptoms Questionnaire for PD (NMSQuest) both met criteria for Recommended, and the Nonmotor Symptoms Scale (NMSS) met criteria for Suggested; however, none specifically focuses on the target gastrointestinal symptoms (sialorrhea, dysphagia, and constipation) of this report. A very small number of rating scales have been applied to studies of gastrointestinal-related dysautonomia in PD. Only two scales met "Recommended" criteria and neither focuses specifically on the symptoms of sialorrhea, dysphagia, and constipation. Further scale testing in PD among the scales that focus on these symptoms is warranted, and no new scales are needed until the available scales are fully tested clinimetrically.

Botulinum toxin therapy: a tempting tool in the management of salivary secretory disorders

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of botulinum toxin therapy in salivary secretory disorders.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We treated 24 patients with botulinum neurotoxin type A for drooling, salivary fistulas, sialoceles, recurrent parotitis, and Frey's syndrome; each parotid gland and submandibular gland received 25 to 60 and 10 to 40 mouse units, respectively, per session. All the patients other than those with Frey's syndrome underwent, for diagnostic purpose, color Doppler ultrasonography (Hitachi H 21; frequency, 7.5 MHz, Scanner, Kashiwa, Japan), and Minor's test was carried out for gustatory sweating; pretreatment magnetic resonance sialography (Philips Gyroscan Intera, Eindhoven, The Netherlands) and sialoendoscopy were also performed in selected cases. The follow-up included clinical and ultrasonographic examinations and Minor's test.

RESULTS

A clinical improvement was observed in all patients: complete clinical recovery in 12, subtotal in 6, and partial in 6. A self-assessment test suggested the cessation of sweating by the 10th day in most patients with Frey's syndrome. Botulinum toxin lost its effectiveness approximately after 4 months, requiring further administrations especially for drooling. No major side effects were observed with the exception of transitory paresis of the lower branch of the facial nerve in a patient with concomitant autonomic diabetic neuropathy.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that botulinum toxin therapy is valid for the nonsurgical management of patients with salivary secretory disorders; the use of color Doppler ultrasonographic monitoring warrants the safety of the procedure.

Sialorrhea in Parkinson's disease: A review

A significant number of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) experience sialorrhea. This problem can cause social embarrassment, and because saliva pools in the mouth, may lead to aspiration pneumonia. Sialorrhea in PD is thought to be caused by impaired or infrequent swallowing, rather than hypersecretion. Oral medications, botulinum toxin injections, surgical interventions, radiotherapy, speech therapy, and trials of devices may be used to treat sialorrhea in PD, but few controlled trials have been published. This article reviews current knowledge regarding the frequency, etiology, assessment, and treatment of sialorrhea in PD.

Personality analysis of patients complaining of sialorrhoea

BACKGROUND

Sialorrhoea, the symptom of apparent excessive secretion of saliva is a relatively uncommon complaint. Some authors consider that in the absence of clinical findings, then these patients have a psychiatric disorder masquerading as a physical illness. However, there is little evidence in the literature to support this conclusion and a detailed psychological assessment of this population has not previously been reported.

METHODS

In total, 18 patients and 18 age- and sex-matched controls were studied. All had a history of a complaint of excess salivation in the absence of any oral mucosal or systemic abnormality. All patients completed an Eysenck Personality Questionnaire.

RESULTS

There were no differences in the extroversion of psychoticism scores between the study and control group. However, the result showed significant increases in the neuroticism and Lie Scale score in the patient group.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall results of this study indicate that the complaint of sialorrhoea in otherwise healthy individuals does not have an organic basis and suggest that sialorrhoea is associated with high levels of neuroticism and a tendency to dissimulate.