Use of botulinum toxin in the treatment of facial paralysis

Abstract

This article reports a clinical case of treatment of facial paralysis with the use of botulinum toxin type A in a young patient affected by acoustic neuroma. This cranial neuropathy is relatively common and originates from immunological, infectious and ischemic mechanisms, but as a result of the elective surgery, the patient was affected by facial paralysis, characterized by dysfunction of the facial nerve and/or paralysis of any structure that is innervated by the nerve. face, on the right side. An alternative to treat facial paralysis was to submit the patient to treatment with botulinum toxin type A, a protease that induces reversible chemical denervation in the muscles, by blocking the release of acetylcholine from the nerve endings of motor neurons, producing a weakening effect, promoting a significant improvement in mimicry and facial asymmetry, in addition to emotionally rehabilitating the patient.