Ultrasound-Guided Botox Injections of Salivary Glands in Children with Drooling

Because of lack of coordination of the oral, facial, and neck muscles, many patients with cerebral palsy have excessive pooling of saliva, resulting in drooling. Injection of botulinum toxin type A reduces salivary flow. However, no best practice for this procedure has been reported in the literature. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that ultrasound-guided botox injection of the salivary glands in children is effective temporary palliation for excessive drooling. The study population consisted of 6 patients who underwent botox injection of salivary glands one or more times at a mid-Atlantic regional children's hospital. Parents were interviewed by telephone regarding the effects of the botox procedure on their child's drooling. The children who comprised our study population exhibited decreased drooling, less respiratory distress, and increased quality of life after the injections. Further research with a larger sample is warranted to support these findings.