Longitudinal CT evaluation of transdermal scopolamine for aspiration pneumonia with sialorrhea in severe chronic brain injury: A case series

Abstract

Sialorrhea is a major cause of recurrent aspiration pneumonia in severe chronic brain injury. Previous reports have shown that transdermal scopolamine can decrease saliva production. We present four patients with severe chronic brain injury who experienced repeat aspiration pneumonia with sialorrhea. Longitudinal computed tomography examinations to assess the therapeutic effect were performed in all four cases before and after transdermal scopolamine. Transdermal scopolamine was applied as a patch (0.1 g/2.5 cm²) behind the earlobe every 24 h after confirming the absence of glaucoma. Patches were formulated as an in-hospital preparation (scopolamine butylbromide 0.25 g and hydrophilic cream 4.75 g) under the approval of our institutional review board. Longitudinal computed tomography after transdermal scopolamine use showed a decrease in pleural effusions associated with continuous aspiration pneumonia in all four cases. The data from repeat computed tomography suggest that long-term transdermal scopolamine for reducing saliva production may be a reasonable option for appropriate palliative care in severe chronic brain injury patients.

Keywords: Scopolamine; brain injuries; prolonged post-traumatic unawareness; sialorrhea.

Figure 1.

Longitudinal imaging of case 1. (a) Longitudinal CT images. CT scan before transdermal scopolamine patches 1^st use: 3.8 cm pleural effusion. CT scan 1 months after 1^st use: 1.9 cm pleural effusion. CT scan before 2^nd use 2.0 cm pleural effusion. CT scan 1 months after 2^nd use: 0.9 cm pleural effusion. (b) Neck CT images before and after tracheoesophageal diversion for the prevention of aspiration. (c) Representative image after tracheoesophageal diversion. CT: computed tomography; TDS: transdermal scopolamine.

Figure 2.

Longitudinal CT examinations of (a) case 2 (CT scan pre scopolamine patches: 2.0 cm pleural effusion. CT scan 7 months after: 0.7 cm pleural effusion) (b) case 3 (CT scan pre scopolamine patches: 3.0 cm pleural effusion. CT scan 2 months after: 0.7 cm pleural effusion), and (c) case 4 (CT scan pre scopolamine patches: 3.4 cm pleural effusion. CT scan 7 months after: 1.8 cm pleural effusion). CT: computed tomography; TDS: transdermal scopolamine.