Influence of botulinum toxin on myogenous facial pain

• Published in: Schmerz (Berlin, Germany) Vol. 19; no. 1; p. 18
• Main Authors: Seedorf, H, Leuwer, R, Bussopulos, A, Fenske, C, Jüde, H D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: German
• Published: Germany 01-02-2005
• Subjects: Adult; Botulinum Toxins - therapeutic use; Facial Pain - drug therapy; Facial Pain - etiology; Female; Humans; Male; Masticatory Muscles - drug effects; Masticatory Muscles - physiopathology
• ISSN: 0932-433X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00482-003-0296-9

Can chronic pain of the masticatory muscles be positively affected by low dose injection of botulinum toxin (BTX-A)?
Twenty patients suffering chronic myofacial pain were questioned and examined after injection of 25-50 U Dysport into the affected muscles over a period of 8 weeks.
Four weeks after injection of BTX-A patients reported a significant reduction of pain (p <0.001, paired t-test. Power of performed test with alpha 0.050:1.000). Then the pain remained constant over the next 4 weeks. Concurrently a significant increase of mandubular range of movement was observed (p <0,05, Wilcoxon signed rank test).
Even though lacking placebo control the findings suggest that patients suffering chronic myofacial pain may benefit from injection of low dose BTX-A into the affected muscles.