Long Term Evaluation of the Effect of Botulinum Toxin A Injection on the Masseteric

In this experiment, eleven volunteers were followed up for 15 months after the injection of botulinum toxin type A on right and left masseter muscles. The measurement of masseter muscle atrophy for each volunteer was performed by CT(computed tomography) three times: before the injection, three and fifteen months after the injection. The thickness and area of muscle were measured in three positions which are 10 (position 1), 20 (position 2), and 40 mm (position 3) above the inferior border of mandible(the injection site was nearest the position 1). The thickness of masster muscle was decreased in all three positions three months after the injection, but no significant change was observed fifteen months after the injection. On the other hand, the area of masster muscle was decreased in all three positions three months after the injection. Furthermore, the area was decreased significantly in positions 1 and 2, but not in position 3 fifteen months after the injection. As a result, toxin is still in effect even fifteen months after the injection. Finally, the present study shows that the measurement of muscle area provides more precise informations than that of muscle thickness does.ope