Botulinum toxin treatment in cerebral palsy: evidence for a new treatment option.
Intramuscular injections of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) have increasingly been used to reduce spasticity in specific muscle groups in children with cerebral palsy. Targets of therapeutic efforts are improvement of gross motor function, alleviation of pain or facilitation of hygienic care. Placebo-controlled studies have shown the local and functional effectiveness of BTX-A for the treatment of dynamic pes equinus. Whether long-term treatment with BTX-A improves motor development and delays contractures is still under investigation.
Kirschner
J
J
Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, University of Freiburg Children's Hospital, Mathildenstrasse 1 79106 Freiburg, Germany. kirschner@kikli.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
Berweck
S
S
Mall
V
V
Korinthenberg
R
R
Heinen
F
F
D000818:Animals; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D004863:Equinus Deformity / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A