Re: botox shots using videostroboscopy
Hi Linda - when you say "HE can actually see ..." do you mean the speech therapist/pathologist? And does this mean you have a speech therapist/pathologist doing the shots?The reason I ask is that, in my opinion, external shots using EMG are best done by someone who has a good 'feel' for the anatomy of the larynx as well as relying on the EMG signal for placement. In my case the shots are done by an ENT (otolaryngologist). I've read/heard somewhere (not sure of the source) that internal shots are no more successful than external, and I would think the actual process would take longer and be less comfortable. Good luck with whatever you decide... David
Re: botox shots using videostroboscopy
Yeah David, Dr. Berke (head/neck surgeon) just felt for the muscles using his hand to get proper placement. An EMG could only make it better.
Re: botox shots using videostroboscopy
What I meant was an ENT doctor giving the injection. My speech pathologist just suggested I may want to try this procedure for a better result. Don't know exactly what I'll decide as will do more research regarding costs, payment of insurance, etc. The speech pathologist seemed to think the doc would have more of a chance to get injection exactly in the right place to produce a better result with longer between injections. So thanks for the info and I'll let you know if I do decide to go through with this procedure if results are any better or not.
Re: botox shots using videostroboscopy
Linda, my videostroboscopy was SO expensive! It is considered a surgical procedure by my insurance company, and they charged me well over $1300. If you were to have that done with every injection, I think your insurance company would flip out. In my opinion, a good doctor should be able to do it just fine with a EMG. I can't see how a stroboscopy would help a doc find better placement than strictly using a scope, as the stroboscopy is just a scope with a strobe light attached. Doesn't make sense, does it?
I think the speech therapy should help you keep your results better longer, and do recommend continuing with those, but you may want a second opinion to the effectiveness of using stroboscopy for botox placement.
Re: botox shots using videostroboscopy
In the 10 years I received injections, I only experienced the EMG approach. My doctor in Cincinnati used "feel" and the EMG. Typically he could tell when he was in the muscle and the EMG neurologist would confirm this belief. I know that other physicians use a scope via the nose to "view" the location of the injection. If you've ever seen the video tape from the NSDA where the hydroplane driver talks about his SD, they show this approach. While I cannot imagine how adding a strobe effect to this approach would help find the target, I'm not the professional - just the target. I know that Larry Kowalski (sp?) received injections via the mouth (I think this is what he said at the National Conf. in 1993 in Nashville, Tn.) and using a scope to find the muscle. The suggestion was that this approach was more effective as it found the center of the target - where the EMG approach might be off a bit, diminishing the effectiveness of the injection. John
Re: botox shots using videostroboscopy
I agree the EMG approach may not always find the exact centre of the target. That's why some doctors spread the shots over 2 to 3 sites in the cord to 'spread it around' a bit.David
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