The role of gustatory flushing in Frey's syndrome and its treatment with botulinum toxin type A

After parotid surgery, gustatory sweating and flushing occur more frequently, the former reportedly in 15–100 % of cases, while no reliable data are available for the latter. Although botulinum toxin (BoNT) is effective in controlling sweating, little is known about its effect on flushing. In 17 patients suffering from Frey's syndrome after parotid surgery, we studied the gustatory flushing phenomenon as compared to gustatory sweating, analyzing their frequency, area, type of stimulus and response to BoNT administration. Cutaneous blood flow (CBF) was monitored by laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) on affected and unaffected areas of the cheek in basal conditions and after meals, before and then 1 month after starting the BoNT injections. The Minor test was used to identify the sweating area. Flushing was observed in 7 of 17 patients after masticatory activity, spicy meals or citrus fruits. No clinical data correlated with any presence of flushing. Flushing regressed completely after BoNT administration and CBF reached similar values in the affected and unaffected sites. No adverse effects were observed. BoNT administration proved an effective and safe treatment for gustatory sweating and flushing in patients with Frey's syndrome. Received: 2 May 2001, Accepted: 27 March 2002