Pyloric injection of botulinum toxin for treatment of diabetic gastroparesis

BACKGROUND: Diabetic gastroparesis is a common clinical problem. The pathophysiology includes prolonged pyloric contractions that may cause functional resistance to gastric outflow. Botulinum toxin was injected into the pyloric sphincter in an attempt to decrease pyloric resistance and improve gastric emptying. METHODS: Six patients with diabetic gastroparesis and an abnormal solid phase gastric emptying study underwent upper endoscopy during which 100 units of botulinum toxin were injected into the pyloric sphincter. Gastric emptying studies were obtained at 48 hours and 6 weeks after injection. Patients were questioned about symptoms of gastroparesis, and a symptom score was obtained at baseline and at 2 weeks and 6 weeks after injection. OBSERVATIONS: There was a mean improvement in the subjective symptom score at 2 weeks of 55% (range 14% to 80%). This improvement was maintained at 6 weeks. There was a 52% improvement in gastric emptying at 2 and 6 weeks. CONCLUSION: Pyloric injection of botulinum toxin can improve symptoms and gastric emptying in patients with diabetic gastroparesis. Further evaluation of pyloric injection of botulinum toxin as a treatment for diabetic gastroparesis is warranted.     

Endoscopic Pyloric Injection of Botulinum Toxin-A for the Treatment of Postvagotomy Gastroparesis

ObjectivesTo evaluate the efficacy of botulinum toxin-A in the treatment of postvagotomy gastroparesis.MethodsThis open-labeled trial identified and recruited 11 subjects who developed symptomatic gastroparesis after a vagotomy (9 fundoplication, 1 trauma, and 1 exploratory laparotomy). Gastroparesis was defined as an abnormal solid-phase gastric emptying test using the standardized 4-hour radionuclide eggbeater meal method and vagotomy was confirmed with a sham meal challenge test. To complete the study, subjects should have completed the 6-month follow-up visit after their pylorus was injected with botulinum toxin-A injection in a 4-quadrant manner. Patients either received 100 (n = 2) or 200 (n = 9) units of botulinum toxin. Questionnaires recorded symptom severity of gastroparesis at baseline and at monthly intervals for 6 months after the therapy was completed by the patients.ResultsOf the 11 subjects initially recruited, 10 finished the 6-month follow-up visit (7 women). Mean age was 51 years (range, 31–84 years). Mean symptom score at baseline was 16 (95% CI 13–19) and showed a numerical decline to 9 (P > 0.05) over the 6-month period after the procedure (95% CI 5–13). Seven (70%) patients observed >30% improvement in the total symptom score. No complications were recorded.ConclusionsIn conclusion, this open-label study in patients with postvagotomy gastroparesis patients reveals a reduction of gastroparetic symptoms at 1 and 3 months after treatment with pyloric injection of botulinum toxin-A, with return of symptoms by 6 months. Thus, botulinum toxin treatment does not produce a sustained reduction in gastroparetic symptoms in this clinical setting.     

Treatment of idiopathic gastroparesis with injection of botulinum toxin into the pyloric sphincter muscle

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine if botulinum toxin injection into the pyloric sphincter improves gastric emptying and reduces symptoms in patients with idiopathic gastroparesis. METHODS: Patients with idiopathic gastroparesis not responding to prokinetic therapy underwent botulinum toxin (80-100 U, 20 U/ml) injection into the pyloric sphincter. Gastric emptying scintigraphy was performed before and 4 wk after treatment. Total symptom scores were obtained from the sum of eight upper GI symptoms graded on a scale from 0 (none) to 4 (extreme). RESULTS: Ten patients were entered into the study. The mean percentage of solid gastric retention at 4 h improved from 27+/-6% (normal < 10%) before botulinum toxin injection into the pylorus to 14+/-4% (p = 0.038) 4 wk after treatment. The symptom score decreased from 15.3+/-1.7 at baseline to 9.0+/-1.9 (p = 0.006) at 4 wk, a 38+/-9% decrease. Improvement in symptoms tended to correlate with improved gastric emptying of solids (r = 0.565, p 0.086). CONCLUSIONS: This initial pilot study suggests that botulinum toxin injection into the pylorus in patients with idiopathic gastroparesis improves both gastric emptying and symptoms.     

Botulinum toxin A for the treatment of delayed gastric emptying

BACKGROUND: Observational data suggest that intrapyloric injection of botulinum toxin A (BoTN/A) reduces symptoms and accelerates gastric emptying in idiopathic and diabetic gastroparesis. Our purpose was to determine whether botulinum toxin improves symptoms to a significantly greater extent than placebo. An additional objective was to determine whether there is an acceleration of gastric emptying after injection. METHODS: A single-institution, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial* was done. Eligible patients had a Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index score > or = 27 with randomization to intrapyloric botulinum toxin, 200 U (units), or saline placebo. Reassessment of symptoms and repeat gastric emptying scan at 1-month follow-up were done. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were randomized to botulinum toxin (N = 16) and placebo (N = 16). At 1-month follow-up, 37.5% randomized to botulinum toxin and 56.3% randomized to placebo achieved improvement as defined by this study. There were no identifiable clinical predictors of response. The botulinum toxin group demonstrated improvement in gastric emptying; however, this was not superior to placebo. No serious adverse events were attributable to botulinum toxin. CONCLUSIONS: Intrapyloric injection of botulinum toxin improves gastric emptying in patients with gastroparesis, although this benefit was not superior to placebo at 1 month. Also, in comparison to placebo, symptoms do not improve significantly by 1 month after injection. Overall, we are unable to recommend botulinum toxin therapy for widespread use in the treatment of delayed gastric emptying until more data are available.     

Pyloric Injection of Botulinum Toxin for the Treatment of Refractory GERD Accompanied with Gastroparesis: A Preliminary Report

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) refractory to conventional medical treatment is frequently associated with gastroparesis, a complex condition with no definitive treatment to date. We first developed a scoring system to assess the severity and frequency of both reflux- and gastroparesis-related symptoms. We then tested, for the first time, the hypothesis that endoscopic pyloric botulinum toxin injection alleviates both of these symptom types. Eleven patients (four males) with GERD (confirmed by esophageal pH monitoring) plus gastroparesis (confirmed by gastric emptying study) underwent toxin injection. Patients had no concomitant disease and were not allowed to use prokinetics before or after treatment. Injection significantly improved both gastroparesis- and reflux-related symptoms in the majority of patients but the duration of symptom relief was relatively short. Responders to treatment had significantly higher total reflux symptom scores (before injection) than nonresponders. All but one of the patients in whom gastroparesis symptoms improved also showed response in reflux symptoms, which supports our hypothesis. We believe that response to toxin injection is a reliable predictor of response to subsequent surgery following the recurrence of symptoms.     

Controlled trial of botulinum toxin injection versus placebo and pneumatic dilation in achalasia

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Intrasphincteric injection of botulinum toxin has been suggested as an alternative treatment modality in esophageal achalasia. A controlled trial comparing botulinum toxin, placebo, and pneumatic dilation is reported. METHODS: Sixteen patients received random intrasphincteric injections of either botulinum toxin or saline. The efficacy of treatment was assessed by symptom score, esophageal manometry, and scintigraphy. In case of failure, pneumatic dilation was performed. RESULTS: One month after injection, symptoms had improved in all patients treated with botulinum toxin (symptom score, 0.9 +/- 0.6 vs. 5.5 +/- 1.4; P < 0.02). In the placebo group, symptoms were unchanged in all patients, who were all dilated. Lower esophageal sphincter pressure decreased by 49% after treatment with botulinum toxin (P < 0.03) and by 72% after dilation (P < 0.01). Similarly, esophageal retention decreased by 47% after treatment with botulinum toxin (P < 0.02) and by 59% after dilation (P < 0.02). No significant difference in symptom score and esophageal function test results was found between patients treated with botulinum toxin injections and those undergoing dilation. However, 7 of the 8 patients in the botulinum toxin group required a second injection because of recurrent dysphagia. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of achalasia with botulinum toxin was as effective as pneumatic dilation in relieving symptoms and improving esophageal function. The effect of the first injection was temporary, but the effect of the second injection lasted longer. (Gastroenterology 1996 Dec;111(6):1418-24)     

Endoscopic pyloric injection of botulinum toxin A for the treatment of refractory gastroparesis

BACKGROUND: Botulinum toxin A injected into the pyloric sphincter has been reported in small case series to treat gastroparesis. This study reviews the use of this treatment in a large number of patients with gastroparesis. METHODS: Patients who underwent pyloric botulinum injection for treatment of gastroparesis were identified. Response was defined as improvement or resolution of the patient's major symptom and/or two minor symptoms for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Of 115 patients treated, 63 patients met the study criteria. There were 53 women, 10 men, mean age 42 years. Most patients (56%) had idiopathic gastroparesis. Twenty-seven of 63 (43%) patients experienced a symptomatic response to treatment. By stepwise logistic regression, male gender was associated with response to treatment (OR 3.27: 95% CI[1.31, 8.13], p = 0.01). Vomiting as a major symptom was associated with a lack of response (OR 0.16: 95% CI[0.04, 0.67], p = 0.01). Despite the association of male gender with response, the mean duration of response for those patients responding, with a minimum of 3 months' follow-up was 4.9 months (+/-2.7 months) for women and 3.5 months (+/-0.71 months) for men (p = 0.59). The corresponding medians and interquartile ranges (IQR) were 5 (IQR 3-6) for females and 3.5 (IQR 3-4) for males. CONCLUSIONS: Of the patients, 43% had a response to botulinum toxin treatment that lasted a mean of approximately 5 months. Male gender was associated with a response to this therapy; however, durability of response was unrelated to gender. Vomiting as a major symptom predicted no response.     

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing botulinum toxin injection with lateral internal sphincterotomy for chronic anal fissure

Objective  The aim of this review is to systematically analyze the prospective randomized controlled trials on the efficacy of botulinum toxin injection (Botox) vs. lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) for the treatment of chronic anal fissure (CAF). Materials and methods  A systematic review of the literature was undertaken. The prospective randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness of Botox vs. LIS for the management of CAF were selected according to specific criteria and analyzed to generate pooling data. Results  Four studies encompassing 279 patients were qualified for the meta-analysis. There was a statistically significant higher healing in LIS group compared with Botox group (RR 1.31[1.57, 1.50] 95% CI, z = 4.11, p < 0.0001). Absolute benefit increase rate (ABI) is 23% for LIS group compared with Botox group. The recurrence rate was statistically significantly higher in Botox groups than in LIS groups (RR 5.83[2.96, 11.49] 95% CI, z = 5.09, p < 0.00001).LIS was associated with a high rate of minor anal incontinence as compared to Botox (RR 0.08[0.01, 0.59] 95% CI, z = 2.47, p = 0.01). Conclusion  Botulinum toxin injection was associated with a higher rate of recurrent disease. LIS was more effective in healing chronic anal fissure.     

Endoscopic botulinum toxin injection into the minor papilla for treatment of idiopathic recurrent pancreatitis in patients with pancreas divisum.

BACKGROUND: In some patients with pancreas divisum, obstruction to the flow of pancreatic juice into the duodenum is the presumptive cause of acute recurrent pancreatitis. However, identification of those patients who may benefit from minor papilla sphincterotomy or stent placement is difficult. METHODS: Five patients with acute recurrent pancreatitis and pancreas divisum were therefore treated by endoscopic injection of 50 units of botulinum toxin into the minor papilla in an outpatient setting. RESULTS: Botulinum toxin injection was successfully performed on six occasions in 5 patients and no adverse effects were noted. Two patients relapsed after 9 and 10 months, respectively, but had definite relief of symptoms after needle-knife sphincterotomy. One patient relapsed 7 months after botulinum toxin injection but became symptom free again after a second botulinum toxin injection. Another patient is still in clinical remission 4 months after botulinum toxin administration, and 1 patient did not respond to either botulinum toxin administration or to sphincterotomy and stent placement. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic injection of botulinum toxin into the minor papilla in patients with pancreas divisum and acute recurrent pancreatitis is a safe procedure that is easy to perform and provides short-term relief in some patients. Response to botulinum toxin injection may predict whether patients with pancreas divisum and acute recurrent pancreatitis will benefit from other forms of endoscopic therapy.     

Botulinum toxin injection for hypercontractile or spastic esophageal motility disorders: may high‐resolution manometry help to select cases?

Endoscopic injections of botulinum toxin in the cardia or distal esophagus have been advocated to treat achalasia and spastic esophageal motility disorders. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate whether manometric diagnosis using the Chicago classification in high‐resolution manometry (HRM) would be predictive of the clinical response. Charts of patients with spastic and hypertensive motility disorders diagnosed with HRM and treated with botulinum toxin were retrospectively reviewed at two centers. HRM recordings were systematically reanalyzed, and a patient's phone survey was conducted. Forty‐five patients treated between 2008 and 2013 were included. Most patients had achalasia type 3 (22 cases). Other diagnoses were jackhammer esophagus (8 cases), distal esophageal spasm (7 cases), esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (5 cases), nutcracker esophagus (1 case), and 2 unclassified cases. Botulinum toxin injections were performed into the cardia only in 9 cases, into the wall of the distal esophagus in 19 cases, and in both locations (cardia and distal esophagus) in 17 cases. No complication occurred in 31 cases. Chest pain was noticed for less than 7 days in 13 cases. One death related to mediastinitis occurred 3 weeks after botulinum toxin injection. Efficacy was assessed in 42 patients: 71% were significantly improved 2 months after botulinum toxin, and 57% remained satisfied for more than 6 months. No clear difference was observed in terms of response according to manometric diagnosis; however, type 3 achalasia previously dilated and with normal integrated relaxation pressure (4s‐integrated relaxation pressure < 15 mmHg) had the worst outcome: none of these patients responded to the endoscopic injection of botulinum toxin. Endoscopic injections of botulinum toxin may be effective in some patients with spastic or hypercontractile esophageal motility disorders. The manometric Chicago classification diagnosis does not seem to predict the results. Prospective randomized trials are required to identify patients most likely to benefit from esophageal botulinum toxin treatment.     

Botulinum toxin for the treatment of gastroparesis: a preliminary report

Gastroparesis is a disorder of gastric motility that results in delayed gastric emptying. Common symptoms include early satiety, postprandial fullness, epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. The underlying etiologies of gastroparesis are many and include diabetes, prior gastric surgery, collagen vascular disorders, and a previous viral illness. Up to one third of cases are classified as idiopathic. Treatment typically consists of a change in diet to small volume, frequent meals and the use of the prokinetic agents metoclopramide, cisapride, erythromycin, or domperidone. Botulinum toxin has recently been shown to be effective in treating disorders of smooth muscle hypertonicity in the GI tract. This case report describes three patients with severe gastroparesis whose symptoms persisted despite dietary changes and the use of high dose prokinetic agents. All three were treated with intrasphincteric injection of the pylorus with botulinum toxin and all had significant symptomatic improvement afterwards. Possible mechanisms of action of botulinum toxin on the pylorus and its effects in patients with gastroparesis are discussed.     

Comparison of Botulinum Toxin Injection and Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy for the Treatment of Chronic Anal Fissure

PURPOSE: Botulinum toxin injection into the internal anal sphincter has been shown to be an effective treatment for chronic anal fissure. A randomized, prospective trial was conducted to compare botulinum toxin with lateral internal anal sphincterotomy as definitive management for chronic anal fissure. METHODS: Patients diagnosed as having chronic anal fissure were randomly assigned to one of the two treatment arms. In the botulinum toxin group (n = 61), 20 to 30 U (approximately 0.3 U/kg) of type A botulinum toxin (Botox®) was injected into the internal anal sphincter. The injection was repeated two months later if complete healing was not accomplished. Patients in the sphincterotomy group (n = 50) underwent lateral internal anal sphincterotomy. The same investigators evaluated the patients on postoperative/postinjection days 7 and 28, and then in a blinded manner at 2, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: In the botulinum group, single injection resulted in complete healing in 45 of the 61 patients (73.8 percent) at the second month. Of the 16 failures, 6 patients refused further treatment, and 10 were treated with a second injection, which resulted in an overall healing rate of 86.9 percent (53/61) at 6 months. In the sphincterotomy group, the success rate was 82 percent (41/50) at day 28 and 98 percent (49/50) at the second month (P = 0.023 and P < 0.0001, respectively, compared with the botulinum group—single injection). At 6 months, 2 patients in the LIS group developed recurrences, and the healing rate was similar to that of the botulinum group (86.9 vs. 96.4 percent; P = 0.212). At 12 months, the success rate of the Botox® group fell to 75.4 percent (46/61) with 7 recurrences, whereas it remained stable in the sphincterotomy group (94 percent, P = 0.008). Sphincterotomy was associated with a significantly higher complication rate (8 cases of anal incontinence vs. none in the botulinum toxin group; P < 0.001). Full return to daily activities took significantly less time in the botulinum group (1 vs. 14.8 ± 5.7 days; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Although the healing rate of chronic anal fissure is considerably high with botulinum toxin injection with earlier recovery and less complications compared with sphincterotomy, it occasionally requires a repeat injection, and the healing is slower. The early (two months) and late (one year) healing rates are significantly higher in the sphincterotomy group, the two groups reaching similar healing rates only at six months.     

Usefulness of botulinum toxin in gastrointestinal disorders

Botulinum toxin (Botox) produced by Clostridium botulinum is a potent neuromuscular blocker agent that inhibits acetylcholine release from presynaptic nerve endings. This effect was confirmed in the smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract and led to clinical trials investigating the efficacy of Botox for treatment of several gastrointestinal disorders. Multiple controlled studies have shown that Botox is effective in short-term management of achalasia. Botox reduces lower esophageal sphincter pressure, improves esophageal clearance, and alleviates symptoms in up to 70% of patients; however, its long-term efficacy decreases to 30% and repeated injections are often necessary. Botox is reserved for older patients and with high surgical risk. The main predictors of a good response are older age and presence of vigorous achalasia. Biliary or pancreatic sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) has been another indication for Botox administration. Transendoscopic injection of Botox in the papilla of Vater has shown relief of symptoms in more than 50% of cases of SOD. Furthermore, a Botox clinical response in this condition can predict a long-term benefit with endoscopic sphincterotomy. Botox decreases resting anal pressure, has healing rates of approximately 80% at six months after injection in patients with chronic anal fissure, and has a better outcome than topic nitroglycerine. Case reports have shown good results with Botox administration in treatment of diffuse esophageal spasm, anismus, oropharyngeal dysphagia, anterior rectocele, and secondary achalasia. Administration of botulinum toxin has a low rate of adverse reactions and complications.     

Características del esfínter pilórico utilizando EndoFLIP® en gastroparesia

Introduction and aims

Pyloric sphincter abnormalities may be detected in gastroparesis. Botulinum toxin A (BoNT/A) injection into the pylorus has been used to treat gastroparesis with varying results. The aim of the present article was to assess whether pyloric sphincter characteristics using the endoscopic functional lumen imaging probe (EndoFLIP^®) with impedance planimetry in patients with gastroparesis correlated with symptoms, gastric emptying, and therapeutic response to pyloric sphincter BoNT/A injection.

Botulinum toxin in the treatment of outlet obstruction constipation caused by puborectalis syndrome

PURPOSE: Puborectalis syndrome has been difficult to treat. We investigated the efficacy of botulinum toxin in treating patients with puborectalis syndrome who had previously failed to respond to electromyographic biofeedback sessions and who refused to use anal dilators. METHODS: Of a group of 50 patients with chronic outlet obstruction constipation, four patients with puborectalis syndrome were included in the study. The patients were studied using anorectal manometry, defecography, and electromyography and then treated with 30 units of Type A botulinum toxin, injected into two sites on either side of the puborectalis muscle, under ultrasonographic guidance. RESULTS: One patient was lost to follow-up. After treatment in other patients, the frequency of natural bowel movements increased from zero to six per week and laxatives were needed by only one patient. Anorectal manometry demonstrated decreased tone during straining from (mean ± standard deviation) 96.2 ± 12 mmHg to 42.5 ± 13 mmHg at four weeks (P=0.003) and 63.2 ± 22 mmHg at eight weeks (P=0.009). Defecography performed eight weeks after treatment showed improvement in the anorectal angle, which increased from 94 ± 11° to 114 ± 13° (P=0.01), and evacuation of barium paste. Electromyography demonstrated mild paradoxical contraction. However, 16 weeks after treatment one of these three patients suffered symptomatic recurrence. This patient was re-treated with 50 units of toxin; eight months later he required a further 60 units. Seven months after the last injection he reported normal daily bowel movements without the use of laxatives. CONCLUSIONS: Botulinum toxin injection should be considered as a simple therapeutic approach in patients with puborectalis syndrome. The use of higher dosage and a more precise method of toxin injections under transrectal ultrasonography account for the long-term higher success rate. However, because the effects of the toxin wear off within three months of administration, repeated injections could be necessary to maintain the clinical improvement.     

Botulinum toxin in the treatment of diffuse esophageal spasm

Diffuse esophageal spasm is a primary esophageal motility disorder. The prevalence is 3–10% in patients with dysphagia and treatment options are limited. This review summarizes the treatment of diffuse esophageal spasm, including pharmacotherapy, endoscopic treatment, and surgical treatment with a special focus on botulinum toxin injection. A PubMed search was performed to identify the literature using the search items diffuse esophageal spasm and treatment. Pharmacotherapy with smooth muscle relaxants, proton pump inhibitors, and antidepressants was suggested from small case series and uncontrolled clinical trials. Endoscopic injection of botulinum toxin is a well‐studied treatment option and results in good symptomatic benefit in patients with diffuse esophageal spasm. Surgical treatment was reported in patients with very severe symptoms refractory to pharmacologic treatment. This article summarizes the present knowledge on the treatment of diffuse esophageal spasm with a special emphasis on botulinum toxin injection. Endoscopic injection of botulinum toxin is presently the best studied treatment option but many questions remain unanswered.     

Botulinum toxin injections after surgery for Hirschsprung disease:Systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND A large proportion of patients with Hirschsprung disease experience persistent obstructive symptoms after corrective surgery. Persistent obstructive symptoms may result in faecal stasis that can develop into Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis, a potential life-threatening condition. Important treatment to improve faecal passage is internal anal sphincter relaxation using botulinum toxin injections.AIM To give an overview of all empirical evidence on the effectiveness of botulinum toxin injections in patients with Hirschsprung disease.METHODS A systematic review and meta-analysis was done by searching PubMed,EMBASE and the Cochrane Library, using entry terms related to:(1)Hirschsprung disease; and(2) Botulinum toxin injections. 14 studies representing278 patients met eligibility criteria. Data that were extracted were proportion of patients with improvement of obstructive symptoms or less enterocolitis after injection, proportion of patients with adverse effects and data on type botulinum toxin, mean dose, average age at first injection and patients with associatedsyndromes. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to aggregate effects and random-effects meta-regression was used to test for possible confounding factors.RESULTS Botulinum toxin injections are effective in treating obstructive symptoms in on average 66% of patients [event rate(ER) = 0.66, P = 0.004, I2 = 49.5, n = 278 patients]. Type of botulinum toxin, average dose, average age at first injections and proportion of patients with associated syndromes were not predictive for this effect. Mean 7 duration of improvement after one botulinum toxin injections was6.4 mo and patients needed on average 2.6 procedures. There was a significant higher response rate within one month after botulinum toxin injections compared to more than one month after Botulinum toxin injections(ER = 0.79, vs ER = 0.46,Q = 19.37, P 0.001). Botulinum toxin injections were not effective in treating enterocolitis(ER 0.58, P = 0.65, I2 = 71.0, n = 52 patients). There were adverse effects in on average 17% of patients(ER = 0.17, P 0.001, I2 = 52.1, n = 187 patients), varying from temporary incontinence to mild anal pain.CONCLUSION Findings from this systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that botulinum toxin injections are effective in treating obstructive symptoms and that adverse effects were present, but mild and temporary.     

Beyond gastric emptying: a "toxic" lesson about gastroparesis

The first published controlled trial of intrapyloric botulinum toxin for gastroparesis failed to demonstrate a significant effect of treatment on symptoms, despite an improvement in gastric emptying. In this editorial, I discuss the limitations and implications of this study, with particular emphasis on what the use of botulinum toxin can teach us about the pathophysiology of gastroparesis and other gastrointestinal smooth muscle disorders.     

贲门失弛缓症内镜下注射肉毒毒素与气囊扩张术疗效比较的系统评价

目的 系统评价内镜下注射肉毒毒素与气囊扩张治疗贲门失弛缓症的有效性和安全性.方法 应用国际Cochrane协作网系统评价方法进行评价.结果 共纳人12个试验包括559例患者.Meta分析显示:(1)短期总有效率内镜下气囊扩张治疗优于内镜下注射肉毒毒素治疗(83.21%比71.27%,P<0.01).(2)长期总有效率内镜下气囊扩张治疗优于内镜下注射肉毒毒素治疗(54.59%比27.60%,P<0.01).(3)临床复发率内镜下注射肉毒毒素治疗高于内镜下气囊扩张治疗(55.66%比18.84%,P<0.01).(4)副作用及并发症发生率内镜下气囊扩张治疗高于内镜下注射肉毒毒素治疗(13.01%比1.35%,P<0.01).结论 目前的证据表明:内镜下注射肉毒毒素与气囊扩张均有较好的短期疗效和安全性,内镜下气囊扩张治疗在长期疗效上更优于内镜下注射肉毒毒素.     

不同阶段糖尿病胃运动障碍诊治对策

糖尿病患者常见胃运动障碍,表现为上腹胀、早饱、上腹不适、恶心、呕吐等症状以及胃排空延迟,胃排空延迟影响降血糖药的药代动力学,造成餐后血糖升高与降血糖药或胰岛素的血浓度高峰不匹配,进而影响血糖的控制与稳定。糖尿病不同阶段胃运动障碍表现形式不同。核素法是最常用的胃排空诊断方法。糖尿病胃运动障碍的处理包括饮食调节、促动力药以减轻症状、控制血糖,针对胃轻瘫的治疗包括胃电刺激、内镜下幽门注射肉毒杆菌毒素A、内镜下放置鼻胃空肠营养管或经皮内镜下胃（空肠）造瘘、外科手术等。