title: The use of botulinum toxin for the treatment of overactive bladder syndrome.
abstract: Over the last 50 years, botulinum toxin has been transformed from a cause of life-threatening disease to an effective medical therapy. It has been used in a variety of specialties for different indications, significantly improving patient quality of life. A recent growing body of evidence suggests that intra-detrusor injection of botulinum toxin may have beneficial effects in patients with medication refractory detrusor overactivity and may offer a new minimally invasive alternative to patients with severe overactive bladder symptoms. To review current data regarding the effects of botulinum toxin in patients with overactive bladder, a MEDLINE(®)/PubMed(®) literature search was carried out. The mechanism of action, clinical usage, adverse effects, and treatment efficacy were reviewed and the results are presented in this paper.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Urology and Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Bogdan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Orasanu
authors.forename: Sangeeta T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Mahajan
keywords: Botulinum toxin; idiopathic detrusor overactivity; lower urinary tract dysfunction; neurogenic detrusor overactivity; overactive bladder; urge incontinence