Botulinum neurotoxin A injection for the treatment of epiphora with patent lacrymal ducts.

Abstract

HEADINGS:

Retrospective longitudinal study to evaluate the efficacy of botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) therapy for epiphora with patent lacrimal ducts.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE:

BoNT/A has been used since 2000 in axillary hyperhidrosis to reduce sweat secretion. Some isolated cases of hyperlacrimation or crocodile tear syndrome have been treated with BoNT/A on this basis. We report our experience in the treatment of tearing despite patent lacrimal ducts by BoNT/A injection into the lacrimal gland.

METHODS:

We reviewed qualitative and quantitative criteria to evaluate the degree of improvement of epiphora after BoNT/A injections in the palpebral lobe of the lacrimal gland in patients referred for epiphora despite patent lacrimal ducts between 2009 and 2016. Epiphora was graded using a functional questionnaire, Munk score and Schirmer test performed before and after the injections. Side effects were recorded.

RESULTS:

Sixty-five palpebral lacrimal glands of forty-two patients with epiphora despite patent lacrimal ducts, of mean age 65 years, sex ratio 0.8, were treated with BoNT/A (IncobotulinumtoxinA, XEOMIN®, MERZ Pharma France) from April 2009 to April 2016. The etiology of the epiphora was represented by 56 paroxysmal lacrimal hypersecretion, 2 crocodile tear syndrome and 7 facial palsies. No conventional medical or surgical treatment had been effective in these cases. The technique of injection, dilution and dosage of BoNT/A were specific. We re-injected 33/65 cases a second time upon patient request due to recurrence of epiphora, 16/65 cases three times, 8/65 cases four times, 6/65 cases five times and 3/65 six times. The Schirmer's test measured a decrease of lacrimal secretion in 51/65 glands (78%) after the first botulinum neurotoxin injection. Side effects were limited to ptosis in 2 cases (3%) and six patients (9%) with rapidly regressing diplopia. Two patients experienced immediate lacrimal gland hematoma (3%) with no sequelae. The authors describe the injection techniques, the dosage, the volume and concentration of BoNT/A.

CONCLUSION:

Patients with intractable epiphora despite patent lacrimal ducts can be effectively treated with BoNT/A (IncobotulinumtoxinA) injection into the palpebral lobe of the lacrimal gland. Most of the patients (80%) were very satisfied with few side effects (hematoma, ptosis or mild diplopia lasting from 3 days to 3 weeks). More studies are needed to delineate which types of epiphora can be treated with BoNT A.

• Authors: B Girard, J-M Piaton, P Keller, T H Nguyen
• Journal: Journal francais d'ophtalmologie (J Fr Ophtalmol) Vol. 41 Issue 4 Pg. 343-349 (Apr 2018) ISSN: 1773-0597 [Electronic] France
• PMID: 29681465 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Botulinum Toxins, Type A

Topics

• Aged
• Botulinum Toxins, Type A (administration & dosage, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Drug Evaluation
• Eating
• Facial Paralysis (complications)
• Female
• Hematoma (etiology)
• Humans
• Injections, Intraocular (adverse effects)
• Lacrimal Apparatus
• Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases (drug therapy, etiology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Nerve Regeneration
• Retrospective Studies
• Salivary Glands (innervation)
• Secretory Rate (drug effects)
• Tears (metabolism)