The novel use of botulinum toxin A for the treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon in the toes

BMJ Case Rep. 2018 Mar 9:2018:bcr2017219348. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2017-219348.

Abstract

Raynaud's phenomenon is a vasospastic disorder of the digital vessels triggered by exposure to cold or stress. It is most commonly observed in the hands, but also frequently affects the toes. We present three cases of patients with severe Raynaud's phenomenon in the toes, secondary to scleroderma. The diagnosis of Raynaud's syndrome and scleroderma was established according to the 2010 American College of Rheumatology and European League Against Rheumatism criteria. Patients were treated with 10 units of botulinum toxin injected into each foot. Two millilitres was injected into the base of each toe in both the left and right feet. Six weeks postinjection into the toes, patients reported an improvement of cold intolerance, colour change and frequency and severity of Raynaud's attacks. The effects were reported to last up to 5 months. To our knowledge, these are the first reported cases of the treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon in the toes with botulinum toxin A.

Keywords: plastic and reconstructive surgery; rheumatology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholine Release Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Acetylcholine Release Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Adult
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A / administration & dosage
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Injections / methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Raynaud Disease / diagnosis
  • Raynaud Disease / drug therapy*
  • Raynaud Disease / etiology
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / complications
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / diagnosis*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Toes / blood supply*
  • Toes / pathology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Acetylcholine Release Inhibitors
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A