We evaluated the differences in histological and immunological findings in children with recurrent tonsillitis and tonsillar hyperplasia and assessed the risk for relapsing tonsillar hyperplasia or recurrent tonsillitis after tonsillotomy in a prospective clinical study. Sixty-four children with recurrent tonsillitis underwent traditional (total) blunt dissection tonsillectomy between October 2003 and July 2004. Partial tonsillectomy (tonsillotomy) using CO(2)-laser technique was performed on 49 children with tonsillar hyperplasia and no history of recurrent tonsillitis between August 2003 and March 2005. The present study compares preoperative serum anti-streptolysin-O antibody and immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgA and IgM), C-reactive protein levels (CRP) and blood leukocyte counts of the two study groups. Additionally the tonsillar tissue removed by tonsillotomy or tonsillectomy was histologically examined in order to determine the grade of hyperplasia, chronic inflammation and fibrosis. Furthermore, the grade of fresh inflammation within the tonsillar crypts of the specimens was analysed. The parents of 40 patients treated by laser tonsillotomy were surveyed in average 16 months. There was no statistically significant difference in preoperative serum anti-streptolysin-O antibody and immunoglobulin levels, C-reactive protein levels and blood leukocyte counts between the two study groups. All specimens showed the histological picture of hyperplasia. There was no statistically significant difference in the grades of hyperplasia between the two study groups. Signs of fresh but mild inflammation within the tonsillar crypts could be found in over 70% of both study groups. Fibrosis only occurred in children with recurrent tonsillitis (9%). In all specimens signs of chronic inflammation could be detected. The histological examinations of specimens from children with repeated throat infections more frequently showed a moderate chronic inflammation of the tonsillar tissue. Two of forty patients treated by tonsillotomy required a subsequent tonsillectomy due to a recurrence of tonsillar hyperplasia but no recurrent tonsillitis occurred. Tonsillotomy with CO(2)-laser technique is an effective surgical procedure with a long-lasting effect in patients with tonsillar hyperplasia. The benefits over conventional tonsillectomy are a lower risk for postoperative haemorrhage, reduced postoperative morbidity and accelerated recovery. Even in children with no history of recurrent tonsillitis signs of chronic inflammation histologically can be found in specimens after tonsillotomy. The occurrence of recurrent tonsillitis after tonsillotomy is rare, however. A low incidence of relapsing tonsillar hyperplasia after tonsillotomy should be expected. Preoperative laboratory investigations show few differences in patients with tonsillar hyperplasia and recurrent tonsillitis. Components of the antimicrobial defense system are also produced by chronically infected tonsils. Therefore tonsillotomy with CO(2)-laser could also be an option in so...

BackgroundSalivary fistulas are a well-known sequel of parotidectomy, and successful treatment with botulinum toxin has been demonstrated in individual cases. Here, we report on 12 patients with fistulas treated following parotidectomy for various indications.Methods and resultsInjection of botulinum toxin type A into the residual gland tissue was the initial treatment. After early intervention (within 6 weeks after development of the fistula), only one fistula remained (9 of 10 fistulas treated early only with botulinum toxin). One patient with early intervention did not want to wait for the botulinum toxin treatment to take effect and demanded early surgical revision, which was successful. In one patient with a permanent fistula, botulinum toxin treatment began 420 days after the operation and was unsuccessful. No side effects were evident after the treatment.ConclusionIn summary, botulinum toxin injections into the parotid tissue remaining after surgery appear to be an effective treatment for salivary fistulas following parotidectomy.

These new aspects of the dynamic in the treatment with botulinum toxin enable the physician to understand better the dynamic of these diseases, to optimize treatment protocols.

Here we introduce BTX as a therapeutic option for the treatment of salivary duct stenosis when other therapies are ineffective and before opting for gland extirpation.

The rate of gland extirpations can be reduced using sialoendoscopy.

BoNT is widely used as a therapeutic option with an increasing trend. Due to different applications a schedule of hospitals would be helpful in order to be able to find the nearest hospital for the appropriate indications.

Hypersalivation describes a relatively excessive salivary flow, which wets the patient himself and his surroundings. It may result because of insufficient oro-motor function, dysphagia, decreased central control and coordination. This reduces social interaction chances and burdens daily care. Multidisciplinary diagnostic and treatment evaluation is recommended already at early stage and focus on dysphagia, and saliva aspiration. Therefore, a multidisciplinary S2k guideline was developed. Diagnostic tools such as fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing and videofluoroscopic swallowing studies generate important data on therapy selection and control. Especially traumatic and oncologic cases profit from swallowing therapy programmes in order to activate compensation mechanisms. In children with hypotonic oral muscles, oralstimulation plates can induce a relevant symptom release because of the improved lip closure. In acute hypersalivation, the pharmacologic treatment with glycopyrrolate and scopolamine in various applications is useful but its value in long-term usage critical. The injection of botulinum toxin into the salivary glands has shown safe and effective results with long lasting saliva reduction. Surgical treatment should be reserved for isolated cases. External radiation is judged as ultima ratio. Therapy effects and symptom severity has to be followed, especially in neurodegenerative cases. The resulting xerostomia should be critically evaluated by the responsible physician regarding oral and dental hygiene.

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