Interventional neurology: botulinum toxin as a potent symptomatic treatment in neurology.

Local injections of botulinum toxin is a well-accepted treatment for focal dystonias, hemifacial spasms and strabismus. Its use by skilled neurologists has been reported to be safe and effective. We report our experience with botulinum toxin injections in 108 patients with various central nervous system disorders. Botox was effective in upper face dystonia (86% improvement), spastic dysphonia (92% improvement), platysma muscle spasms and spasmodic torticollis (range of movement 61%, pain and tension 90%). It was also very effective in a few patients with apraxia of eyelid opening, parkinsonian jaw tremor, teeth clenching, palatal myoclonus and adductor leg spasticity. No serious side effects were recorded. Botulinum toxin is a useful symptomatic treatment for many neurological disorders, and one of the leading mode of treatments in the new subspecialty in neurology called "Interventional neurology."