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Beneficial effect of botulinum A toxin in blepharospasm: 16 months' experience with 16 cases

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Abstract

After introducing the problem of blepharospasm, we report our experience on treatment with purified botulinum A toxin in 16 cases of blepharospasm, symptomatic in two and essential in 14, than had not responded to drugs. The changes in intensity and frequency of spasm after treatment were evaluated on a clinical scale and by review of videotapes. The beneficial effect appeared within a week in most patients, lasting from 6 to 28 weeks (mean 13), and reached the maximum at the third-seventh week. Mild spasms and female patients responded better. Repeated injections were followed by better response to the drug. Complications, exclusively local, were represented by transient corneal exposure, ptosis, lacrimation or diplopia.

Sommario

Dopo una breve introduzione sul problema del blefarospasmo, gli autori riportano la loro esperienza nel trattamento con tossina botulinica purificata di 16 casi di questo disturbo, sintomatico in due ed essenziale in quattordici. Le modificazioni di intensità e di frequenza degli spasmi palpebrali sono state valutate su una scala clinica e con la revisione delle videoregistrazioni effettuate prima del trattamento e a distanza di unodue mesi. La maggior parte dei pazienti ha riportato un miglioramento dopo 3–10 giorni dalla inoculazione. Tale miglioramento ha avuto una durata variabile da 6 a 28 settimane, con una media di 13, ed un massimo tra la 3a e la 7a settimana. Gli spasmi moderati ed i soggetti di sesso femminile hanno avuto una risposta migliore. La ripetizione delle somministrazioni della tossina si è accompagnata ad un miglioramento più marcato della sintomatologia. Le complicazioni del trattamento, unicamente locali, sono consistite in insufficiente chiusura della rima palpebrale, lacrimazione, ptosi e diplopia transitori.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cattedra di Neuropatologia e Psicopatologia, Università di Firenze, Via Morgagni, 85-50134, Firenze

    Maurri S. & Alfieri G.

  2. Clinica Oculistica II, Università di Firenze, Firenze, Italy

    Brogelli S.

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  1. Maurri S.
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  2. Brogelli S.
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  3. Alfieri G.
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  4. Barontini F.
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Maurri, S., Brogelli, S., Alfieri, G. et al. Beneficial effect of botulinum A toxin in blepharospasm: 16 months' experience with 16 cases. Ital J Neuro Sci 9, 337–344 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02333996

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