Back to List

Title:

Author:
Date:
Source:

Single-Site Botulinum Toxin Type A Injection
for Elimination of Migraine Trigger Points
Behmand RA, Tucker T, Guyuron B.
Posted: January 2004  
Headache 2003;43:1085-1089

Background:   Botulinum toxin may be effective in suppressing migraine. Most injection regimens utilized have involved multiple sites.

Purpose:   To evaluate prospectively the effect of botulinum toxin type A injections into the corrugator supercilii muscles alone on the frequency and severity of migraine.

Results:   At 2 months, 24 of 29 patients (83%) reported a positive response to the injection of botulinum toxin type A. Sixteen patients (55%) reported complete elimination of headache, 8 (28%) experienced significant improvement (at least 50% reduction in frequency or intensity), and 5 (17%) did not notice a change in headache. The duration of efficacy of the botulinum toxin type A injections ranged from 6 to 12 weeks, with an average of 8 weeks. In patients who had improvement in migraine but not complete elimination, the headache frequency decreased from 6.4 to 2.1 per month on average, and the intensity decreased from 8.6 to 6.1.

Conclusion:   These results support the hypothesis that focal injection of botulinum toxin type A may be an effective therapy for migraine.