Botox for enlarged parotid and submandibular glands?

Question

I have Sjögrens Syndrome - an AI disease that primarily attacks the moisture producing glands. My major symptom has been enlarged & painful salivary glands despite having minor dry mouth & never suffering from salivary stones or infections. No treatments by my ENT & Rheumy have been able to shrink the enlarged glands. I've read that Botox can help reduce the size but neither my ENT or Rheumy are aware of this treatment. Would I be causing more problems if I were to try Botox for this issue?

Cameron Chesnut, MD, FAAD, FACMS · Answer

Botox can definitely shrink a Prada gland, most commonly we are cosmetically addressing enlargement of the parotid glands that can square off jawline and misshape a lower face.  Often, patients have seen several other surgeons who told them there was nothing they could do except to cut them out, even though they are not a tumor.
Thankfully, neuromodulators like Botox, Dysport and Xeomin can shrink and shape a salivary gland like the parotid.The only concern that I would have with you having Sjogren’s is the reduction of saliva production. 
To ensure you are receiving the highest level of care, seek out a modernly trained, new-school dermatologic surgeon, oculoplastic surgeon, facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon who is board certified and fellowship trained in one of these “core four” cosmetic specialties. Membership in organizations like the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery help to identify a highly trained surgeon.
Cameron Chesnut
#realself100 Physician

Andrew Campbell, MD · Answer

Botox can shrink glands a little. My opinion is that it does so by essentially "drying them out" by preventing the nerves from sending the impulse to create and expel saliva. My only concern for you is that your glands don't work well already due to your Sjogrens. This could make any symptoms worse. If you do decide to try it, I'd recommend treating one side only and see how thing go. The effect should last about 3 months.Andrew Campbell, M.D.

Facial Plastic Specialist

Quintessa Aesthetic Centers

Alex Eshaghian, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question RMSN. Botox is usually used to treat wrinkles on the face, but it can be injected into salivary glands to decrease saliva production. Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease characterized by dryness in various glands such as those in the mouth, eyes, and vagina. There are other symptoms as well and a rheumatologist will be able to assess the condition and make recommendations. Since Botox leads to decreased saliva production and there is already low saliva production with Sjogren's syndrome I am not sure I would recommend Botox in the salivary glands to a patient of mine who has Sjogren's syndrome. If the glands are inflamed and enlarged, then specific treatment can be guided towards treating the inflammation. Please consult with a rheumatologist for specific recommendations. Good luck!

Melvin Elson, MD · Answer

Botox has been used to inject the various salivary glands to decrease the amount of saliva. you should contact a board certified facial plastic surgeon to check about this

Victor Chung, MD · Answer

Botox is a medication that is typically injected into muscles to weaken them to produce fewer skin wrinkles.Botox has been injected into salivary glands like the parotid and submandibular glands for patients who produce too much saliva with fairly good success.Patients suffering from Sjogren don't produce much saliva, so Botox does not help in that regard.However, there was an article in 2011 where ENT doctors used Botox to try to treat recurrent cystic parotitis in Sjogren syndrome. Botulinum toxin injection: a novel treatment for recurrent cystic parotitis Sjögren syndrome.

Daniel SJ, Diamond M.

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2011 Jul;145(1):180-1.It's an isolated study and I don't know whether they were successful. Experimental treatments can have unknown risks, so please be careful. Safety comes first.

Botox for enlarged parotid and submandibular glands?

Answers (5)

Answer: Sjogrens syndrome and Botox

Answer: Sjogrens syndrome and Botox

Answer: Botox and salivary glands

Answer: Botox and salivary glands

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Botox for enlarged parotid and submandibular glands?

Answers (5)

Answer: Sjogrens syndrome and Botox

Answer: Sjogrens syndrome and Botox

Answer: Botox and salivary glands

Answer: Botox and salivary glands

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Everything you need to know about Botox

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.