Botulinum toxin for neuropathic pain and spasticity: an overview

Pain Manag. 2014 Mar;4(2):129-51. doi: 10.2217/pmt.13.75.

Abstract

In recent years, a large body of data has surfaced reporting the therapeutic benefit of botulinum toxin injection in multiple conditions. The aim of this review is: to summarize the highest quality literature pertaining to clinical application of botulinum toxin in neuropathic pain conditions including postherpetic neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, diabetic polyneuropathy, post-traumatic neuralgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, phantom limb and stump pain, and occipital neuralgia; to provide an overview of the clinical trials using botulinum toxin in adult spasticity; and to assign levels of evidence according to the American Academy of Neurology guidelines. In summary, there is level A evidence for established efficacy in postherpetic neuralgia and adult spasticity; level B evidence for probable efficacy in trigeminal neuralgia and post-traumatic neuralgia; level B evidence for probable lack of efficacy in carpal tunnel syndrome; level C evidence for possible efficacy in diabetic polyneuropathy; and level U (insufficient) evidence in complex regional pain syndrome, phantom limb and stump pain, and occipital neuralgia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Botulinum Toxins / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Muscle Spasticity / drug therapy*
  • Neuralgia / drug therapy*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Substances

  • Botulinum Toxins