Transient Worsening of Dysphagia and Dysarthria after Treatment with Botulinum Toxin in Patients with Acquired Brain Injury

Abstract

Although botulinum toxin is widely considered an effective and safe treatment for a variety of neurological conditions (such as disabling spasticity), local or systemic adverse effects have often been reported. This study describes three cases of patients with severe acquired brain injury who were receiving speech therapy for recovering dysphagia and dysarthria but showed worsening of these symptoms after receiving BoNT treatment for motor spasticity. To increase clinicians’ knowledge of these adverse effects, we present our cases and explore their significance to avoid major complications such as aspiration pneumonia.

Keywords

• botulinum toxin
• spasticity
• dysarthria
• dysphagia
• acquired brain injury