title: Botulinum toxin A in the treatment of spinal cord injury patients with refractory neurogenic detrusor overactivity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of botulinum toxin type A injections in the detrusor muscle in patients with spinal cord injury and urinary incontinence due to detrusor overactivity and refractory to anticholinergic agents.
  
  
  METHODS
  We prospectively evaluated 22 patients with spinal cord injuries, whose bladders were emptied by intermittent catheterization. All patients had detrusor overactivity and urinary incontinence that proved difficult to treat, despite using high doses of two different anticholinergics. The pre-treatment assessment included a complete urodynamic study and ultrasonography of the kidneys and urinary tract. A one-month follow-up was completed with urodynamic evaluation and the clinical response was evaluated through outpatient consultations and telephone contact.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After the procedure, the maximum cystometric capacity and the bladder reflex volume increased, whereas the maximum detrusor pressure and compliance decreased. The mean duration of continence was 7±7 months. In 18 patients (81.8%), it was necessary to administer anticholinergics to achieve continence. Five patients (22.7%) had indication of reinjection, and augmentation cystoplasty was indicated in 9 patients (40.9%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of botulinum toxin in the treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity refractory to anticholinergics is an option before more invasive treatments, such as augmentation cystoplasty, are attempted. In our study as well as in the literature, there was improvement in most urodynamic parameters. Overall, 40.9% of patients underwent augmentation cystoplasty and 81.8% of patients needed anticholinergic agents to reach urinary continence. Further studies are necessary to improve the procedure and to achieve better clinical results.
authors.affiliation: SARAH Network of Rehabilitation Hospitals, Belo Horizonte Unit, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. ronaldoalvares@sarah.br
authors.forename: Ronaldo A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Alvares
authors.forename: Jose A F
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Andre L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Barboza
authors.forename: Raphael T M
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Monteiro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000188:drug therapy; D053201:Urinary Bladder, Overactive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000188:drug therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A