Botulinum toxin for the treatment of spasmodic dysphonia

Botulinum toxin therapy has become the standard of care in the treatment of SD. Diagnosis of this disorder requires careful examination in concert with a neurologist experienced in managing movement disorders to delineate fully the patients' dystonic syndrome. The team effort may also maximize the results of the local BTX injections and systemic therapy. Treatment of adductor SD with BTX results in good success, with an average benefit of 90% of normal function. Treatment of abductor SD is more difficult, with an average benefit of 66.7% of normal voice. Current research, especially gene research, is progressing in the elucidation of the cause of dystonia. It is hoped that it will soon be possible to treat the cause of SD rather than treating its symptomology.