|
Cerebral Palsy - Back to News Menu
Botox 'helps to prevent drooling'
Botox injections can prevent children with cerebral palsy from suffering a distressing side effect of the condition, scientists have found.
Injecting the toxin into the salivary glands reduced drooling, a common problem with the neurological disorder.
Doctors have already used botox to help control problems with muscle tension which often occur with cerebral palsy.
The Toronto Hospital for Sick Children team presented their findings at a medical meeting in New Orleans, US.
I had one patient who went through 120 boxes of tissues every month
Dr Tony Ward, North Staffordshire Rehabilitation Centre
Botox is more commonly used by cosmetic surgeons to smooth out wrinkles.
The botulinum toxin type A can be deadly, paralysing muscles needed for breathing, but only very small doses are given in medical or cosmetic treatments.
It works by blocking the signal that nerves are trying to pass to the muscles.
A side effect is a dry mouth. But in the case of neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy, where excessive drooling is a problem, this is actually helpful.
'Changes lives'
Dr Peter Chait and colleagues told an annual meeting of the American Roentgen Ray Society how injections of botulinum toxin A into the salivary glands helped 70% of children with cerebral palsy and severe drooling.
His team gave the treatment to seven children multiple times and at different doses. They then asked the children's parents and carers to fill out questionnaires so they could assess whether the treatment had helped.
Dr Chait said: "Now that we know it is effective, we are trying to optimise the procedure."
Dr Tony Ward from the North Staffordshire Rehabilitation Centre in the UK has been using botox injections for the same indication in adults with cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis on an ad hoc basis.
He said the treatment was very effective and that the benefits lasted up to about 12 months before individuals needed repeat injections.
Typically, this involves one jab in front of each ear and another at the angle of the jaw on each side of the face.
"It is no more painful than a vaccine. But for children, it might be advisable to sedate them," he said.
He added: "It really does change people's lives. I had one patient who went through 120 boxes of tissues every month. Drooling can be very distressing."
Botox injections have also been used to treat excess sweating, called hyperhydrosis.
Richard Parnell, head of research at the charity Scope, said: "It is good to see that this treatment appears to help.
"Drooling can be quite a problem for these children."
However, he cautioned that severe drooling should only be treated if it was a problem for the child rather than for purely aesthetic reasons.
He also said it was important to involve the child in the consent process for the procedure.
Botox is used cosmetically to banish wrinkles.
'Thunder Road Classic' cruise-in benefits cerebral palsy organization
By HUEY FREEMAN - H&R Staff Writer
DECATUR - When Kenneth Hilliard retired 13 years ago, he was free to pursue the work he loves.
He bought a 1947 Hudson Coupe in an advanced state of decay, with engine parts in the trunk, and spent 1½ years transforming it into a gleaming midnight blue and teal-colored show car.
Hilliard, 75, a Harristown resident, was among about 200 owners who filled the Decatur Civic Center parking lot with their classic vehicles Saturday. The event was the "Thunder Road Classic," a noncompetitive event designed to bring together enthusiasts and show the public their handiwork.
Although there were at least three Hudson cars in evidence at the event, Hilliard said they are not commonly seen anymore. The Hudson Motor Car Co. stopped producing cars nearly 50 years ago.
As a teenager, Hilliard began falling in love with Hudsons when he drove his father's Terraplane at high speeds on the roads around Decatur in the 1930s.
"The '38 Terraplane would do 100 (mph) easily," he said. "Illinois had no speed limits."
The Terraplane was the favorite car of bank robber John Dillinger, who used it to outrun police, he pointed out.
Hilliard demonstrated one of the unique features on his car. When he pulled the upper part of the passenger seat forward, the entire front bench rotated forward. That way passengers in the back seat had plenty of room to get in an out.
"It's the only car that ever did that," Hilliard said.
The car event, the "Thunder Road Classic," was the brainchild of Bud Wilcox, the general manager of the Civic Center. Wilcox, who was hired about six months ago, said he was happy with the turnout at the event.
"There's some fabulous cars out there, world class vehicles," he said.
Wilcox decided that a local charity should benefit from the event. He contacted United Cerebral Palsy, because he has been impressed by the work they have done in the Peoria area, where he recently lived.
Leanne Shoemaker, program manager for United Cerebral Palsy, said she is hoping this will become a regular fund raiser. The activities the group sponsors include a day camp for disabled children, as well as providing respites for parents and assistive computers for families.
She is recruiting volunteers, 14 and older, to assist with the next camp session, Aug. 8-14. Anyone interested may call her at 428-5033.
Jay Brann, 73, of Peoria has been interested in cars since he was a small boy. Of the 300 cars he has owned, the one that has brought him the most joy and attention was on display Saturday.
The 1932 Lincoln seven-passenger sedan was for sale in Albany, N.Y., a few years ago when Brann spotted it in a magazine. He purchased and restored the spacious, elegant car, which appears to be suitable for a successful bootlegger or the head of a prosperous nation.
The car features wide running boards, a two-toned maroon finish, a saluki hood ornament (frequently mistaken for a jaguar), mahogany dash board and door trim, and whitewall spare tires on both fenders, with mirrors strapped on top of the tires.
While the Decatur event, a "cruise-in" rather than a show, does not offer awards, Brann said he won three awards at a show in Paducah, Ky., the previous week. He said he appreciated the Decatur event, which included many antiques, as well as more recent muscle cars, sports cars and trucks.
"I think it's great," Brann said. "All I've heard is positive all day. You get to see automotive history."
Huey Freeman can be reached at hfreeman@;herald-review.com or 421-6985.
|
