Botulinum A toxin treatment of urethral sphincter pseudodyssynergia in patients with cerebrovascular accidents or intracranial lesions.
OBJECTIVE
Detrusor overactivity and urethral sphincter pseudodyssynergia may develop during recovery from cerebrovascular accidents or intracranial lesions, resulting in difficulty in urination, a large amount of residual urine, and recurrent urinary tract infection. This study evaluated the effectiveness of urethral injection of botulinum A toxin in treating these patients.


METHODS
Twenty-one patients with chronic cerebrovascular accidents or intracranial lesions and difficult urination were enrolled. Patients participating in the study elected to receive either 100 units of botulinum A toxin (n = 11) or served as medically treated controls (n = 10). The urodynamic parameters and voiding efficiency after treatment were compared between the 2 groups.


RESULTS
An excellent result was obtained in 6 patients and an improved result in 4 patients, resulting in an overall success rate of 91% in the study group. Four patients with frank urinary retention before treatment resumed spontaneous voiding. The maximal effects of botulinum A toxin appeared about 2 weeks after treatment. The voiding pressure decreased (57.8 +/- 35.2 vs. 33.8 +/- 16.9 cm H2O, p = 0.005) and the maximal flow rate increased (7.2 +/- 5.9 vs. 10.3 +/- 5.2 ml/s, p = 0.005) significantly. In the control group, 4 patients (40%) had spontaneous voiding 6 months after medical treatment, whereas 6 patients remained unchanged requiring an indwelling Foley catheter (n = 2) or clean intermittent catheterization (n = 4). The symptom score and the quality of life index showed significantly greater improvement in the study group than in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that urethral injection of botulinum A toxin is effective and without adverse effects in the treatment of patients with urethral sphincter pseudodyssynergia after cerebrovascular accidents or the development of intracranial lesions.
Department of Urology, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan.
Yue Hwa
YH
Chen
Hann-Chorng
HC
Kuo
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001259:Ataxia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*; D014522:Urethral Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A