Combining ultrasonography and electromyography for botulinum chemodenervation treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome: comparison with fluoroscopy and electromyography guidance.
BACKGROUND
Botulinum chemodenervation has been increasingly used for treating conditions characterized by muscular pain and dystonia. Complication rates commonly exceed 10 percent in published accounts due to an inadvertent spread of toxin. Various techniques of precision targeting have been described to minimize undesirable toxin effects. The present study reports on a clinical experience combining ultrasonography and electromyography in order to demonstrate how favorably this approach compares to previously described techniques in terms of minimizing complications while maintaining efficacy.


METHODS
Retrospective case series


METHODS
The present study is a retrospective clinical analysis of patients treated with botulinum toxin using 2 different combined targeting techniques; one using ultrasonography and electromyography and the other using fluoroscopy and electromyography.


RESULTS
Combined ultrasonography and electromyography was used in 77 of 245 procedures; in 168 procedures, fluoroscopy and electromyography was used. There were no complications with ultrasonography guided procedures; the complication rate for combined fluoroscopy and electromyography was 1.8 percent (3/168; Fisher exact p = 0.3206). For combined ultrasonography and electromyography, after 70 out of 77 procedures (91%) there was a good outcome compared to 136 out of 168 (81%) after procedures utilizing a combination of fluoroscopy and electromyography (Fisher exact p= 0.331).


CONCLUSIONS
There was no significant difference in complication rate or successful outcomes comparing the 2 forms of imaging guidance when targeting muscles for botulinum injection. Since outcomes are comparable, other factors such as cost and radiation exposure may be considered in choosing which imaging modality to use.
UCLA Department of Neurology, Los Angeles, CA, USA. shellyj@aol.com
Sheldon E
SE
Jordan
Samuel S
SS
Ahn
Hugh A
HA
Gelabert
D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004576:Electromyography; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D009121:Muscle Denervation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013901:Thoracic Outlet Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography
D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A