Further studies using higher doses of botulinum toxin type F for torticollis resistant to botulinum toxin type A
- Dr A J Lees, The National Hospital For Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK. Telephone 0044 171 837 3611; Fax 0044 171 829 8720.
- Received 7 February 1997
- Revised 14 October 1997
- Accepted 17 October 1997
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A previous study of botulinum toxin type F (BTX-F) treatment for torticollis had shown a dose of 520 MU to be effective, but for a much shorter duration than is usual with botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A). The objective was to assess the effect of a higher dose of BTX-F.
METHODS Four of the previously treated patients, plus an additional patient, were treated with a higher dose of 780 MU BTX-F. All were secondary non-responders to BTX-A due to neutralising antibodies. A test injection of 40 MU BTX-F was also given into the extensor digitorum brevis muscle (EDB), to examine the time course of the biological effect of the toxin electrophysiologically. Patients were followed up at two, four, eight, and 12 weeks.
RESULTS All patients reported subjective improvement lasting from seven to 11 (mean 8.6) weeks accompanied by a significant reduction in mean clinical severity scores at two weeks. Four patients had pain which was substantially reduced. The electrophysiological studies confirmed biological sensitivity to the toxin in all patients, showing a significant change beginning at two weeks and returning to baseline at 12 weeks. The time course of this effect paralleled roughly that of the clinical response. The four patients who had previously received 520 MU BTX-F reported that the response was better and longer in duration with 780 MU. Dysphagia was more common than reported with the lower dose.
CONCLUSION Better results are possible with higher doses of BTX-F but the duration of benefit is still shorter than with BTX-A, seemingly due to a shorter duration of neuromuscular junction blockade.
