Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Boris Bentsianov.
In conclusion, botulinum toxin usage over the past 2 to 3 decades has expanded exponentially. Almost every discipline in medicine has found some therapeutic use for this toxin. Botulinum toxin has been shown to be safe, effective, and relatively easy to administer with proper training.
Botulinum toxin acts at the neuromuscular endplate, which requires precise delivery of the drug to achieve a desired clinical result. A thorough understanding of the complex anatomic structures of the face and their effect on facial form and function, coupled with an appreciation of facial esthetics and the balanced muscle actions that produce resting and active facial form, will result in accurate and reproducible clinical effects. Utilizing some general anatomic principles in combination with specific individual facial features and variations will enable the physician to consistently find the optimum injection sites and combination of other therapies for desired outcomes.
Since the introduction of botulinum toxin (BTX) as a therapeutic tool in the 1970s, the number of uses for this substance has increased exponentially. BTX's mechanism of action involves degrading the SNARE proteins blockading the release of acetylcholine into the neuromuscular junction. In many body systems, decrease of contractility, strength, and tension of certain muscle groups result in improved clinical outcomes. Applications now include cosmetic, gastroenterologic, otolaryngologic, genitourinary, neurologic, and dermatologic uses. In fact, BTX can be considered as a potential treatment in any situation involving inappropriate or exaggerated muscle contraction. Currently, the FDA has approved BTX-A (Botox) for treating glabellar lines, blepharospasm, strabismus, hemifacial spasm, cervical dystonia, and spasticity. With the addition of cosmetic applications to the FDA's approval list, the use of BTX has increased dramatically.