Retrospective study on the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided interdigital injection of botulinum toxin for the treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon

Abstract

Introduction

Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is a vasospastic condition that carries a significant burden of pain and disability. When conventional therapies are not sufficiently effective, the need arises to explore other therapeutic alternatives such as interdigital botulinum toxin (BT) injection.

Objective

To determine clinical improvement in patients with RP (number of daily episodes, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) during episodes, duration of episodes, and Raynaud Condition Score).

Materials and methods

Observational, descriptive, retrospective study of patients with RP who received ultrasound-guided interdigital injection of type A BT. Data from post-procedure controls (months 1, 3, and 6) were obtained, and analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon test through the StatPlus programme.

Results

The study was conducted on 8 patients (100% female) with a mean age of 48.5 years, all of whom had RP secondary to a systemic disease (87.5% systemic sclerosis). Significant differences were observed (median and interquartile range) in the number of RP episodes in the first month (P: .043). The pain VAS for each episode decreased in the first month (P: .027) and in the third month (P: .043). Differences were found in the Raynaud condition score in the first month (P: .027) and the third month (P: .043).

Conclusions

Ultrasound-guided interdigital injection of type A BT could be an adjuvant treatment for patients with RP.