Botulinum toxin for cricopharyngeal dysphagia: Case reports of CT-guided injection

Objective: The National Institutes of Health have recognized the use of botulinum toxin (Botox(R)) as a therapeutic agent to treat many ophthalmologic and otolaryngologic disorders. There are three reports in the literature regarding the use of Botox to treat cricopharyngeal dysphagia, all describing good results. In the larger study, the toxin was administered under general anaesthetic. This article discusses CT-guided injection of Botox: a relatively noninvasive, out-patient procedure. We also discuss failure of injection in one case and complications in another. Conclusion: The patients described experienced improvement in their dysphagia symptoms following injection.