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Non-aesthetic uses of botulinum toxin in the head and neck

  • Review Article
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European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

The use of botulinum toxin in the specialty of aesthetic surgery in the head and neck is well known. However, it has also been used for other conditions affecting the head and neck, and in recent years its use, as well as the number of relevant applications, has expanded enormously.

Review

This article presents a summary of the current range of uses in the laryngeal, pharyngeal, cervical, oromandibular and facial muscles and salivary glands. We highlight particular conditions focusing on dystonia (laryngeal, craniocervical, oromandibular and cervical), multiple system atrophy, migraines, facial nerve palsy, post-laryngectomy, cricopharyngeal dysphagia, Zenker’s diverticulum, retrograde cricopharyngeal dysfunction disorder, sialorrhea and gustatory sweating (Frey’s syndrome).

Conclusion

This article should aid the ear, nose and throat surgeon garner knowledge about the range of uses for botulinum toxin in the head and neck.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

    Natalie Anne Watson, Benjamin John Miller & Yakubu Karagama

  2. Department of Otolaryngology, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, Lewisham High Street, London, SE13 6LH, UK

    Zohaib Siddiqui & Nicholas Gibbins

Authors
  1. Natalie Anne Watson
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  2. Zohaib Siddiqui
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  3. Benjamin John Miller
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  4. Yakubu Karagama
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  5. Nicholas Gibbins
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Contributions

NG had idea for the article, NAW, BJM, and ZS performed the literature search and data analysis, and all authors drafted and critically revised the work.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Natalie Anne Watson.

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The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

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This review article does not involve research with human participants and/or animals and thus informed consent was not applicable.

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Watson, N.A., Siddiqui, Z., Miller, B.J. et al. Non-aesthetic uses of botulinum toxin in the head and neck. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 278, 4147–4154 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-021-06750-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-021-06750-4

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