Botulinum toxin application in the facial muscles for the treatment of stuttering

Stuttering is a psychosomatic condition with a high degree of social dysfunction characterized by involuntary interruptions in the flow of speech. The etiology is considered to be multifactorial. Speech therapy is the first-line treatment, and therapeutic alternatives have been proposed with different pharmacological agents. In this case report, we describe the use of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) in the facial muscles for treating a patient with developmental stuttering which showed a significant temporary improvement after undergoing the procedure. This is a single-subject study. In the current medical literature, there are a few descriptions of using BTX-A injections in the intrinsic laryngeal muscles with favorable results, but no reports of its use in facial muscles for the treatment of stuttering. Therefore, this report may be important to highlight BTX-A as a safe and effective option when managing to stutter. Hopefully, it will assist in the search for effective treatment and form part of the multi-disciplinary approach in the treatment of stuttering, helping these patients to reduce their social dysfunction and improve their speech and their lives.