ArticleJRSM short reports2013
An evidence-based review of botulinum toxin (Botox) applications in non-cosmetic head and neck conditions.
Article in JRSM short reports, 2013. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 26 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
26 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 101 citations in OpenAlex.
- Efficacy and safety of botulinum neurotoxin in the treatment of hemifacial spasms: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC neurology · 2024Pooled it
- Guidelines for the Use of Botulinum Toxin in Otolaryngology From the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics Guideline Task Force.Clinical and experimental otorhinolaryngology · 2023Guideline
- Botulinum neurotoxin a therapy efficacy and safety for oromandibular dystonia: a meta-analysis.Journal of neural transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996) · 2019Pooled it
- Promising minimally invasive treatment modalities for symptomatic temporomandibular joint disc displacement with reduction: a randomized controlled clinical trial.BMC oral health · 2022Trial
- Trial
- Botulinum toxin-type A: could it be an effective treatment option in intractable trigeminal neuralgia?The journal of headache and pain · 2013Trial
- Proactive Aesthetic Strategies: Evaluating the Preventive Role of Botulinum Toxin in Facial Aging.Muscles (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Review
- Review
- Clinical Application of Botulinum Toxin for Hemifacial Spasm.Life (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Article
- Successful Treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) with Surgical Cauterization of Temporalis Muscle Trigger Points: A Case Report.Dentistry journal · 2022Article
- Challenges and perspectives of tendon-derived cell therapy for tendinopathy: from bench to bedside.Stem cell research & therapy · 2022Review
- Botulinum Toxin Therapy for Oromandibular Dystonia and Other Movement Disorders in the Stomatognathic System.Toxins · 2022Review
- European clinical guidelines for Tourette syndrome and other tic disorders-version 2.0. Part III: pharmacological treatment.European child & adolescent psychiatry · 2022Review
- Intramuscular injection of Botox causes tendon atrophy by induction of senescence of tendon-derived stem cells.Stem cell research & therapy · 2021Article
- Use of botulinum toxin for movement disorders.Drugs in context · 2019Review
- Reproducibility of preoperative endoscopic injection of botulinum toxin into the sphincter of Oddi to prevent postoperative pancreatic fistula.Innovative surgical sciences · 2018Article
- Temporomandibular Joint Regenerative Medicine.International journal of molecular sciences · 2018Review
- Botulinum Toxin for Rhinitis.Current allergy and asthma reports · 2016Review
- Botulinum Toxin: Pharmacology and Therapeutic Roles in Pain States.Current pain and headache reports · 2016Review
- The efficiency of botulinum toxin type A for the treatment of masseter muscle pain in patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction and tension-type headache.The journal of headache and pain · 2016Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors at 4 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Botulinum toxin (Botox) is an exotoxin produced from Clostridium botulinum. It works by blocking the release of acetylcholine from the cholinergic nerve end plates leading to inactivity of the muscles or glands innervated. Botox is best known for its beneficial role in facial aesthetics but recent literature has highlighted its usage in multiple non-cosmetic medical and surgical conditions. This article reviews the current evidence pertaining to Botox use in the head and neck. A literature review was conducted using The Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Medline and EMBASE databases limited to English Language articles published from 1980 to 2012. The findings suggest that there is level 1 evidence supporting the efficacy of Botox in the treatment of spasmodic dysphonia, essential voice tremor, headache, cervical dystonia, masticatory myalgia, sialorrhoea, temporomandibular joint disorders, bruxism, blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm and rhinitis. For chronic neck pain there is level 1 evidence to show that Botox is ineffective. Level 2 evidence exists for vocal tics, trigeminal neuralgia, dysphagia and post-laryngectomy oesophageal speech. For stuttering, 'first bite syndrome', facial nerve paresis, Frey's syndrome, oromandibular dystonia and palatal/stapedial myoclonus the evidence is level 4. Thus, the literature highlights a therapeutic role for Botox in a wide range of non-cosmetic conditions pertaining to the head and neck (mainly level 1 evidence). With ongoing research, the spectrum of clinical applications and number of people receiving Botox will no doubt increase. Botox appears to justify its title as 'the poison that heals'.
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.