Botulinum Neurotoxin A for Parotid Enlargement in Cystic Fibrosis: The First Case Report

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common lethal autosomal recessive genetic disease associated with exocrine gland dysfunction. Salivary gland involvement is a common finding. The literature on submaxillary gland involvement has failed to address the parotid gland and any specific treatment of salivary gland manifestations of CF. Treatment is mainly symptomatic, consisting of analgesics, gustatory stimulation, and massage. Salivary secretion has clearly been linked to parasympathetic and sympathetic signals through intracellular calcium release. CF alters salivary composition with increased calcium and phosphorus concentrations and causes histologic changes (duct enlargement, dilation of acini, and abnormal mucous plugs). This study investigated whether botulinum toxin injected into the parotid gland during an acute exacerbation of CF-associated salivary gland disease could alleviate pain and control future exacerbations.