Kef K. Application of Botulinum Toxin in Patients with Secondary Otalgia Caused by Bruxism.
J Pain Res 2021;
14:1051-1059. [PMID:
33907453 PMCID:
PMC8064681 DOI:
10.2147/jpr.s292550]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim
The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of botulinum toxin administration in patients who consulted the otolaryngology clinic with secondary otalgia caused by bruxism.
Introduction
Botulinum toxin can be applied to the hypertrophic muscles in patients who suffer from facial asymmetry even though they do not experience pain. Injection intervals and the condition of the muscles should be monitored as botulinum toxin applications to the muscles may result in decreased muscle strength and chewing difficulties.
Methods
This prospective study was conducted with bruxism patients at Private Kesan Hospital otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic between August 2019 and December 2019. The diagnosis was based on the anamnesis and physical examination of the patient. The Visual Analogue Scale was used to evaluate patients' pain levels throughout the treatment.
Results
A total of 37 patients, between 19 and 51 years old, 22 (59.46%) females and 15 (40.54%) males, who consulted to the otolaryngology clinic in Private Kesan Hospital between August 2019 and December 2019 with a diagnosis of otalgia caused by bruxism were included in the study. Nine patients (24.3%) had facial asymmetry due to masseter muscle hypertrophy. The average age of the participants was 34.00 ± 9.13 years old. Two weeks after the application of botulinum toxin, patients' complaints subsided. In patients with facial asymmetry, it was observed that asymmetry decreased after the 2nd month and noticeably improved after the 4th month.
Discussion
Bruxism should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with ear pain. Botulinum toxin can be applied in patients who do not respond adequately to classical treatments such as medical treatments, chewing training, neck and facial muscle relaxation techniques, psychological support, and dental splint applications.
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