Conclusion Based on the current evidence , BTX-A may be an effective and safe option for the treatment of neuralgia .
Aim This meta- analysis was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin-A ( BTX-A ) for the treatment of neuralgia .
Two doses of botulinum toxin type A for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia: observation of therapeutic effect from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Background In the majority of cases , trigeminal neuralgia ( TN ) is a unilateral condition with ultra-short stabbing pain located along one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve . Although prophylactic pharmacological treatment is first choise , considering of insufficient effect or unacceptable side effects , neurosurgical treatment or lesion treatment should be considered . In addition to all these procedures mentioned above , one approach has been based on local intradermal and /or submucosal injections of Botulinum Toxin Type A ( BTX-A ) . Methods We conducted a r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled since November 2012 , and adopted local multi-point injection in 84 cases of classical TN with different doses of BTX-A. Eighty four patients were r and omized into following groups : placebo ( n = 28 ) ; BTX-A 25U  ( n = 27 ) ; BTX-A 75U ( n = 29 ) . Follow-up visits were conducted every week after the injection , and the overall duration of the study for each patient were 8 weeks to observe the pain severity , efficacy and adverse reactions at endpoint . Results The visual analogue scale ( VAS ) scores of 25U and 75U groups reduced significantly compared to placebo as early as week 1 , and sustained until week 8 throughout the study . There was no significant difference in VAS between 25U and 75U groups throughout the study . The response rates of 25U group ( 70.4 % ) and 75U group ( 86.2 % ) were significantly higher than placebo group ( 32.1 % ) at week 8 , and there was no significant difference between 25U and 75U groups . Evaluation of the Patient Global Impression of Change ( PGIC ) demonstrated that 66.7 % ( 25U group ) and 75.9 % ( 75U group ) of the patients reported that their pain symptoms were ‘ much improved ’ or ‘ very much improved ’ versus 32.1 % of the placebo group , and there was also no significant difference between 25U and 75U groups . All adverse reactions were grade d as mild or moderate . Conclusions BTX-A injection in TN is safe and efficient . It is a useful treatment for refractory TN . Lower dose ( 25U ) and high dose ( 75U ) were similar in efficacy in short-term
Conclusion Based on the current evidence , BTX-A may be an effective and safe option for the treatment of neuralgia .
Aim This meta- analysis was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin-A ( BTX-A ) for the treatment of neuralgia .