Article

Bruxism is involuntary grinding of the teeth and can occur as a complication of
brain injury. If untreated, bruxism can lead to severe occlusal trauma. Herein,
we present a patient with traumatic brain injury and nocturnal bruxism that was
treated with botulinum toxin injection. A 21 yr old male patient with traumatic
brain injury from a car accident was admitted to our inpatient rehabilitation
unit. He had a history of coma for 2 wk in the intensive care unit. The initial
cranial computed tomography scan indicated a superior thalamic hemorrhage. On
admission to our department 3 mo postinjury, his mental status was good and he
was able to walk without assistance, but he had mild ataxia. He complained about
severe teeth grinding at night, which began 2 mo postinjury. Botulinum toxin-A
was injected into the masseter muscles (20 U in each muscle) and temporalis
muscles (15 U in each muscle) bilaterally. A decrease in bruxism was reported
within 3 d. Clinical improvement persisted at assessment 4 mo posttreatment.
Botulinum toxin injection can be used as an effective treatment for bruxism
associated with brain injury.

Langue : ANGLAIS