Botulinum Toxin Type A: Fine -Tuning Treatment of Facial Nerve Injury

March 2004 | Volume 3 | Issue 2 | Original Article | 133 | Copyright © March 2004


J. Charlie Finn, MD

Abstract
Treatment of patients following facial nerve injury can be daunting. A multitude of procedures have been developed to treat the paralyzed face. As patients recover from facial nerve injuries, a variety of asymmetries from nerve hypofunction (paresis or paralysis) or hyperfunction (synkinesis or spasm) often persist. Careful use of botulinum toxin type A can be very useful in improving symmetry in acute or chronic facial nerve abnormality by treating the relatively hyperfunctional side.