The setting of a botulinum toxin treatment service

The administration of botulinum toxin is an activity performed mostly by a specialist service for the management of a wide range of neurological conditions. For therapeutic purposes botulinum toxin type A is used, although in selected patients who develop antibodies specific for the serotype A botulinum toxin B can be used for the treatment. Hereby, we describe the organizational arrangements for the botulinum toxin treatment service at the Department of Neurology of Hospital Cardinal Massaia based in Asti. The diseases most frequently treated are movement disorders (primary and secondary focal dystonia, blepharospasm, facial emispasmo) spasticity and, more recently, chronic migraine. In particular, the latter application is one of the most promising expansions of the use of this drug in the few past years, although a larger number of patients are required to determine its efficacy and the related tolerability profile.