Published in:
01-09-2017 | Scientific Article
Functional popliteal artery entrapment syndrome: use of ultrasound guided Botox injection as a non-surgical treatment option
Published in: Skeletal Radiology | Issue 9/2017
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Objective
To determine whether ultrasound-guided injection of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) is a viable alternative to surgical intervention for the treatment of functional popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES).
Materials and methods
Twenty-seven patients met diagnostic criteria confirming the presence of functional PAES and agreed to go ahead with ultrasound-guided BTX-A injection at the level of artery occlusion. Patients were assessed and treated at baseline and given the option for ‘top-up’ injections at 6 and 12 months. Patients provided subjective symptom reports at 6 and 12 months post intervention.
Results
No patients reported being worse off after the intervention; 59% of patients were categorized as having a good response (i.e., initial improvement that was maintained at 12 months), 22% a mixed response (i.e., an initial improvement that subsequently reduced over 12 months) and 19% a poor response (i.e., no difference) to treatment.
Conclusions
Ultrasound-guided BTX-A injection represents a viable alternative to surgery in the treatment of functional PAES. Further study will help determine the optimum dose and frequency of injection to prevent recurrence of symptoms.