A prospective study of the effect of botulinum toxin A on masseteric muscle hypertrophy with ultrasonographic and electromyographic measurement

We evaluated the effect of botulinum toxin A on masseteric muscle hypertrophy by using ultrasound andelectromyography. Five patients (four with bilateral and one with unilateral masseteric muscle hypertrophy) were studied prospectively. In each patient, ultrasound-guided percutaneous intramuscular injection of botulinum toxin A was carried out. The change in muscle bulk was evaluated using serial ultrasonography and the electrical activity was assessed with electromyography. All five patients (nine hypertrophic muscles) showed a good response, with the maximal effect of a 31% reduction in muscle bulk seen 3 months after treatment. The effect remained stable one year after injection for six of the hypertrophic muscles, whereas three muscles needed a second injection to maintain the atrophy. This preliminary prospective study suggests that botulinum toxin A is a safe alternative method of treating masseteric muscle hypertrophy. However, the effect may be temporary and further intramuscular injection may be required to maintain atrophy.