Botulinum Toxin in Long-Term Therapy for Achalasia
Authors: Vito Annese
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1998)

Letters15 April 1998Botulinum Toxin in Long-Term Therapy for AchalasiaVito Annese, MD, Vittorio D'Onofrio, MD, and Angelo Andriulli, MDVito Annese, MDCasa Sollievo della Sofferenza Hospital; San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, Vittorio D'Onofrio, MDCasa Sollievo della Sofferenza Hospital; San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, and Angelo Andriulli, MDCasa Sollievo della Sofferenza Hospital; San Giovanni Rotondo, ItalyAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-128-8-199804150-00026 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Surgical myotomy and pneumatic dilatation, the standard treatment for esophageal achalasia, carry a significant risk for major complications, notably gastroesophageal reflux and perforation [1, 2]. Intrasphincteric injection of botulinum toxin has been reported as a safe and effective novel short-term treatment [3]. The results were similar to those seen with dilatation [4]; moreover, the toxin was also effective in patients in whom myotomy or dilatation was unsuccessful [5].We prospectively investigated the long-term safety and efficacy of endoscopic injection of 100 U of Botox (Allergan, Inc., Irvine, California) into the lower esophageal sphincter in 54 consecutive patients. ...References1. Richter JE. Motility disorders of the esophagus. In: Yamada T, ed. Textbook of Gastroenterology. Philadelphia: JB Lippincott; 1995:1174-213. Google Scholar2. Vantrappen G. Being toxic to the esophagus. Gut. 1997; 41:131-2. Google Scholar3. Pasricha PJ, Ravich WJ, Hendrix TR, Sostre S, Jones B, Kalloo AN. Botulinum toxin for the treatment of achalasia. N Engl J Med. 1995; 322:774-8. Google Scholar4. Annese V, Basciani M, Perri F, Lombardi G, Frusciante V, Simone P, et al. Controlled trial of botulinum toxin injection versus placebo and pneumatic dilation in achalasia. Gastroenterology. 1996; 111:1418-24. Google Scholar5. Annese V, Basciani M, Lombardi G, Caruso N, Perri F, Simone P, et al. Perendoscopic injection of botulinum toxin is effective in achalasia after failure of myotomy or pneumatic dilation. Gastrointest Endosc. 1996; 44:461-5. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Hospital; San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByComplementary and Integrative TreatmentsOesophageal achalasiaAchalasiaAchalasia: Update on the Disease and Its TreatmentInjection therapies for nonbleeding disorders of the GI tractNon-surgical treatment of esophageal achalasiaTreatment with botulinum neurotoxin of gastrointestinal smooth muscles and sphincters spasmsTube digestif et toxine botuliqueBotulinum toxin for spastic GI disorders: a systematic reviewLong-term follow-up of achalasia patients treated with botulinum toxinIndications and efficacy of botulinum toxin in disorders of the gastrointestinal tractLong-term follow-up of achalasic patients treated with botulinum toxinEsophageal pharmacology and treatment of primary motility disorders 15 April 1998Volume 128, Issue 8Page: 696KeywordsBotulinum toxinDysphagiaGastroesophageal reflux diseaseIschemiaPatientsSafetySerious adverse eventsToxins Issue Published: 15 April 1998 CopyrightCopyright © 1998 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...