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fiogf49gjkf04 The investigators determined if botulinum toxin injection into the pyloric sphincter improves gastric emptying and reduces symptoms in patients with idiopathic gastroparesis.
They published their findings in the July issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology.
A total of 10 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 weeks after treatment.
 | Effect of botulinum toxin:
- Improved gastric emptying
- Improved symptoms
| | American Journal of Gastroenterology |
Total symptom scores were obtained from the sum of 8 upper GI symptoms, graded on a scale from 0 (none) to 4 (extreme).
The mean percentage of solid gastric retention at 4 hours improved from 27% (normal < 10%) before botulinum toxin injection into the pylorus to 14%, 4 weeks after treatment.
The authors found that symptom score decreased from 15.3 at baseline to 9.0 at 4 weeks, a 38% decrease.
Improvement in symptoms tended to correlate with improved gastric emptying of solids.
Dr Larry S. Miller, of the Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, concluded on behalf of his colleagues, "This initial pilot study suggests that botulinum toxin injection into the pylorus in patients with idiopathic gastroparesis improves both gastric emptying and symptoms."
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