High-Resolution Ultrasound for Complications of Botulinum Toxin Use: A Case Series and Literature Review

Botulinum toxin (BTX) has revolutionized both aesthetic and therapeutic medicine by selectively inhibiting acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction, inducing localized muscle relaxation. However, its use can be associated with various complications. As a diagnostic modality, high-resoluti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) CA), 2024-06, Vol.16 (6), p.e63232
Main Authors: Gonzalez, Claudia, Rengifo, Jaime, Macias-Arias, Paola, Duque-Clavijo, Valeria, Noreña-Rengifo, Brian D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antibiotics
Asymmetry
Botulinum toxin
Clinical medicine
Erythema
FDA approval
Females
Hematoma
Medicine
Pseudoaneurysm
Ultrasonic imaging
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Summary:Botulinum toxin (BTX) has revolutionized both aesthetic and therapeutic medicine by selectively inhibiting acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction, inducing localized muscle relaxation. However, its use can be associated with various complications. As a diagnostic modality, high-resolution ultrasound can better characterize these complications. Here, we present four clinical cases of complications associated with the application of BTX, along with their corresponding ultrasonographic findings. In this study, cases were selected randomly, irrespective of the timing of BTX injections, to illustrate a spectrum of complications observed in clinical practice. Despite its benefits, BTX can have adverse effects ranging from mild to severe, including aesthetic and functional complications, such as hematoma, ptosis, facial asymmetry, nodules, or pseudoaneurysm. High-resolution ultrasound emerges as a crucial tool in the multidisciplinary management of these complications, allowing for accurate evaluation and effective therapeutic guidance.
ISSN:2168-8184
2168-8184
DOI:10.7759/cureus.63232