Unraveling a Decade of Misdiagnosis and Suffering: A Pioneering Diagnostic and Therapeutic Breakthrough in Resolving Chronic Oromandibular Dystonia After Years of Failed Multidisciplinary Approaches
Oromandibular dystonia (OMD) is a rare movement disorder affecting the jaw muscles, causing speech, swallowing, t, T, and other oral movement difficulties. Patients are initially diagnosed with temporomandibular joint disorders, or neuralgias, and receive no adequate treatment for an average of 4 years. The study aims to assess the management outcome through botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injection in patients with chronic OMD who failed initial multidisciplinary approaches. An interventional prospective anti-RET study was set between October 2021 and May 2024 with 12 OMD patients who did not respond to other treatments. Botox was injected into the LP and MM using a standardized pattern and dosage. The measurable evaluation goals included mouth opening and functional aspects of eating and speaking, which were evaluated at times up to 1 year. The treatment efficacy was assessed based on paired t tests as repeated measures ANOVA. Favourable changes were observed that anticipated the earlier results; the mean pretreated mouth opening augmented from 1.2 to 3.6 cm (P < 0.001) after treatment. Functional improvements were observed in eating and speaking at a level of 75%. In 66.7% of the patients, a sustained benefit was reported at 12 months, although had a 25% relapse rate. Precise injections of Botox lead to striking clinical improvement and lasting effects in the greatest patients with OMD. Although most enjoyed long-term positive outcomes, some patients' relapses assert further constant follow-up. The overall effectiveness of OMD management may be greatly enhanced by properly identifying symptoms as early as possible and the subsequent treatment.
Authors
- Mohammed Rhael Ali
- Elham Hazeim Abdulkareem (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5705-8866)
- Muarifah Ulfa Ali
Institutions
- University of Anbar (IQ)
- Baghdad Medical City (IQ)
- University of Tikrit (IQ)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Craniofacial Surgery
- Published
- 2025-06-11
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1097/scs.0000000000011503
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Botulinum Toxin and Related Neurological Disorders
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.39