Sonographic guide for botulinum toxin injections for chronic migraine headache: EURO-MUSCULUS/USPRM approach

Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2023 Sep:232:107883. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2023.107883. Epub 2023 Jul 8.

Abstract

Application of botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) into the muscles of the head and neck area has become a widespread and reliable treatment modality for chronic migraine. The mechanism of action for BoNT-A is the inhibition of acetylcholine and local nociceptive peptide release at the terminal nerve endings. Cranial sutures have the highest concentration of nociceptive structures; therefore BoNT-A injection into the suture lines - as opposed to head and neck muscles - has been proposed for the treatment of chronic migraine. Nerve endings in sutures rapidly absorb BoNT-A and transfer it across the afferent nerve fibers in dura mater via orthodromic and antidromic transmission. In this article, ultrasound-guided BoNT-A application around the cranial sutures will be illustrated. It is noteworthy that suture injections would be safer and more efficient when applied with such guidance.

Keywords: Cranial suture; Lambdoid; Skull; Squamous; Ultrasound.

MeSH terms

  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A* / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Migraine Disorders* / diagnostic imaging
  • Migraine Disorders* / drug therapy
  • Muscles
  • Neuromuscular Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Neuromuscular Agents
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A