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Karp BI, Stratton P. Chronic pelvic pain and botulinum toxin. Toxicon 2025; 258:108336. [PMID: 40154844 PMCID: PMC12121690 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2025] [Accepted: 03/25/2025] [Indexed: 04/01/2025]
Abstract
Botulinum toxin is being explored as a treatment for chronic pelvic pain, a major cause of suffering and disability in both women and men worldwide. For chronic pelvic pain in women, botulinum toxin may be injected into pelvic floor muscles such as levator ani and obturator internus. For pain associated with genitopelvic penetration disorders (vaginismus, vestibulitis, and vulvar pain, bulbospongioussus and ischiocavernosus may be treated. There have been numerous uncontrolled studies of botulinum toxin for chronic pelvic pain in women showing benefit, however, the few randomized controlled clinical trials published to date have given equivocal results. Chronic pelvic pain in men often implicates the prostate gland, so that the condition is commonly called "chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome." There are only a handful of clinical trials for male chronic pelvic pain, each using a different site of injection; some with promising results. This paper discusses the use of botulinum toxin in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain in men and women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Illowsky Karp
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Pamela Stratton
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
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Albaladejo-Belmonte M, Tarazona-Motes M, Jose Nohales-Alfonso F, De-Arriba M, Alberola-Rubio J, Garcia-Casado J. Pelvic floor muscle electrical coupling in chronic pelvic pain: Insights into pathophysiology and botulinum toxin treatment effects. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2024; 79:102940. [PMID: 39426257 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2024.102940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 09/20/2024] [Accepted: 10/09/2024] [Indexed: 10/21/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the electrical coupling between both pelvic floor muscle (PFM) sides (two-sided coupling) and within individual PFM sides (one-sided coupling) in chronic pelvic pain (CPP) before and after botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) treatment. Surface electromyographic (sEMG) signals were recorded from the left and right PFM of 24 patients (P) with CPP before and after being treated with BoNT/A (Weeks 0,8,12,24). Recordings were also made in 24 healthy women (H). PFM two-sided and one-sided coupling was evaluated during contractions by the cross-correlation (CC) and the imaginary part of coherency (iCOH) of their sEMG signals. Significant differences between their values were assessed comparing P(0) vs. P(8,12,24) and H vs. P(0,8,12,24). This study showed that PFM two-sided coupling is similar across groups before treatment, while PFM one-sided coupling on the patients' most painful side is deranged before and also after BoNT/A treatment: amplitude coupling is lower (iCOH) than healthy women's. This could be justified by altered neuromotor control strategies developed as an adaptation to muscle pain, structural and electrical changes in PFM, and alterations in their innervation pattern, which may influence the onset, perpetuation, or recurrence of CPP after treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Albaladejo-Belmonte
- Centro de Investigación e Innovación en Bioingeniería, Universitat Politècnica de València, Edif. 8B, Camino de Vera SN, Valencia 46022, Spain.
| | - Marta Tarazona-Motes
- Servicio de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe de Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
| | | | - Maria De-Arriba
- Servicio de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe de Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
| | | | - Javier Garcia-Casado
- Centro de Investigación e Innovación en Bioingeniería, Universitat Politècnica de València, Edif. 8B, Camino de Vera SN, Valencia 46022, Spain.
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Namazi G, Chauhan N, Handler S. Myofascial pelvic pain: the forgotten player in chronic pelvic pain. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol 2024; 36:273-281. [PMID: 38837702 DOI: 10.1097/gco.0000000000000966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW In this review article, we discuss myofascial-related chronic pelvic pain, pathophysiology, symptomology, and management options. RECENT FINDINGS Despite high prevalence of myofascial pelvic pain, screening is not routinely performed by providers. Treatment modalities include pelvic floor physical therapy, pelvic floor trigger point injections with anesthetics or botulinum toxin A and cryotherapy. Other adjunct modalities, such as muscle relaxants and intravaginal benzodiazepines, are used, but data regarding their effectiveness is sparse. SUMMARY Myofascial pelvic pain is an important, though overlooked component of chronic pelvic pain. Multimodal, multidisciplinary approach including patient education, pelvic floor physical therapy, and trigger point injections is the mainstay of the management of myofascial pelvic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Golnaz Namazi
- Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, University of California Riverside
| | - Navya Chauhan
- University of California Riverside School of Medicine
| | - Stephanie Handler
- Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
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Ghorayeb JH, Chitneni A, Rupp A, Parkash A, Abd-Elsayed A. Dorsal root ganglion stimulation for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain: A systematic review. Pain Pract 2023; 23:838-846. [PMID: 37246484 DOI: 10.1111/papr.13255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a difficult condition to treat. Due to complex pelvic innervation, dorsal column spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has not been shown to produce the same effect as dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRGS) given emerging evidence suggesting that applying DRGS may result in favorable outcomes for individuals with CPP. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the clinical use and effectiveness of DRGS for patients with CPP. MATERIALS AND METHODS A systematic review of clinical studies demonstrating the use of DRGS for CPP. Searches were conducted using four electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Web of Science) across August and September 2022. RESULTS A total of nine studies comprising 65 total patients with variable pelvic pain etiologies met the inclusion criteria. The majority of subjects implanted with DRGS reported >50% mean pain reduction at variable times of follow-up. Secondary outcomes reported throughout studies including quality of life (QOL) and pain medication consumption were reported to be significantly improved. CONCLUSIONS Dorsal root ganglion stimulation for CPP continues to lack supportive evidence from well-designed, high-quality studies and recommendations from consensus committee experts. However, we present consistent evidence from level IV studies showing success with the use of DRGS for CPP in reducing pain symptoms along with reports of improved QOL through periods as short as 2 months to as long as 3 years. Because the available studies at this time are of low quality with a high risk of bias, we strongly recommend the facilitation of high-quality studies with larger sample sizes in order to better ascertain the utility of DRGS for this specific patient population. At the same time, from a clinical perspective, it may be reasonable and appropriate to evaluate patients for DRGS candidacy on a case-by-case basis, especially those patients who report CPP symptoms that are refractory to noninterventional measures and who may not be ideal candidates for other forms of neuromodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe H Ghorayeb
- University of Medicine and Health Sciences, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ahish Chitneni
- Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital - Columbia and Cornell, New York, New York, USA
| | - Adam Rupp
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Anishinder Parkash
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Tower Health Reading Hospital/Drexel University COM, Redding, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alaa Abd-Elsayed
- Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesia, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Franz J, Kieselbach K, Lahmann C, Gratzke C, Miernik A. Chronic Primary Pelvic Pain Syndrome in Men. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 120:508-518. [PMID: 36922749 PMCID: PMC10511008 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.m2023.0036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic primary pelvic pain syndrome in men (CPPPSm) can be associated with urogenital pain, urinary symptoms, sexual dysfunction, and emotional disturbance. Its clinical heterogeneity and incompletely understood pathogenesis make it more difficult to treat. This article is intended to familiarize the reader with basic aspects of the manifestations, pathophysiology, diagnostic evaluation, differential diagnosis, and treatment of this condition. METHODS This article is based on relevant publications retrieved by a selective search of the literature, including the current guidelines of the European Association of Urology. The features of this disease pertaining to urology, psychosomatic medicine, and pain medicine are illuminated from an interdisciplinary perspective. RESULTS Chronic pelvic pain appears to arise through a complex interaction of inflammatory, infectious, neurological, musculoskeletal, and psychosomatic factors. A comprehensive diagnostic work-up should be carried out to evaluate and exclude the numerous differential diagnoses. Treatment strategies are based on the clinical phenotype. Randomized controlled trials have shown that significant relief can be achieved with a variety of drugs and non-pharmacological treatments, selected according to the manifestations of the condition in the individual case. Attention must be paid to treatment-specific adverse effects. CONCLUSION The management of patients with CPPPSm should consist of a comprehensive differential diagnostic evaluation and an individually oriented treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Franz
- Department of Urology, Center for Surgery at the Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Kristin Kieselbach
- Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Interdisciplinary Pain Center, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Claas Lahmann
- Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Department of Psychosomatics and Psychosomatic Therapy, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christian Gratzke
- Department of Urology, Center for Surgery at the Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Arkadiusz Miernik
- Department of Urology, Center for Surgery at the Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Germany
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Schwarzer A, Mäcken T, Enax-Krumova EK. [Clinical use of botulinum toxin type A in pain medicine]. Schmerz 2023:10.1007/s00482-023-00730-9. [PMID: 37365293 DOI: 10.1007/s00482-023-00730-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Botulinum toxin has been used for decades in the treatment of a variety of painful diseases. Botulinum toxin not only blocks neuromuscular transmission, but also the secretion of neuropeptides, such as substance P, glutamate and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and thus inhibits neurogenic inflammation. In addition, it has a modulatory pain-relieving effect via retrograde transport into the central nervous system. In addition to approval for the treatment of dystonia or spasticity, onabotulinum toxin A is also approved for the prophylaxis of chronic migraine if the oral prophylactic migraine medication has had an insufficient effect or has not been tolerated. In addition, botulinum toxin is also recommended in guidelines as a third-line treatment for neuropathic pain, but in Germany this is an off-label application. This article provides an overview of the current clinically relevant areas of application of botulinum toxin in the field of pain medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Schwarzer
- Abteilung für Schmerzmedizin, BG Universitätsklinikum Bergmannsheil gGmbH, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Deutschland.
- Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Intensiv- und Schmerzmedizin, BG Universitätsklinikum Bergmannsheil gGmbH, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Deutschland.
| | - T Mäcken
- Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Intensiv- und Schmerzmedizin, BG Universitätsklinikum Bergmannsheil gGmbH, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Deutschland
| | - E K Enax-Krumova
- Neurologische Klinik, BG Universitätsklinikum Bergmannsheil gGmbH, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Deutschland
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Botulinum Toxin for Neurogenic and Non-neurogenic Bladder Pain. CURRENT BLADDER DYSFUNCTION REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11884-021-00640-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Botulinum Toxin-A Injection in Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome Treatment: A Systematic Review and Pooled Meta-Analysis. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14010025. [PMID: 35051002 PMCID: PMC8780260 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14010025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Pain management of patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is challenging, because pain is often refractory to conventional treatments. Botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for these patients. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the role of BTX-A in CPPS treatment. Methods: We reviewed the literature for prospective studies evaluating the use of BTX-A in the treatment of CPPS. A comprehensive search in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases was performed from English language articles published between January 2000 and October 2021. The primary outcome was to evaluate pain improvement in CPPS after BTX-A treatment. Pooled meta-analysis of the included studies, considering the effect of BTX-A on pain evaluated at last available follow-up compared to baseline values, was performed together with meta-regression analysis. Results: After screening 1001 records, 18 full-text manuscripts were selected, comprising 13 randomized clinical trials and five comparative studies. They covered overall 896 patients of both sexes and several subtype of CPPS (interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome, chronic prostatitis/prostate pain syndrome, chronic scrotal pain, gynecological pelvic pain, myofascial pelvic pain). The clinical and methodological heterogeneity of studies included makes it difficult to do an overall estimation of the real effect of BTX-A on pain and other functional outcomes of various CPPS subtypes. However, considering pooled meta-analysis results, a benefit in pain relief was showed for BTX-A-treated patients both in the overall studies populations and in the overall cohorts of patients with CPP due to bladder, prostate, and gynecological origin. Conclusions: BTX-A could be an efficacious treatment for some specific CPPS subtypes. Higher level studies are needed to assess the efficacy and safety of BTX-A and provide objective indications for its use in CPPS management.
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Tarazona-Motes M, Albaladejo-Belmonte M, Nohales-Alfonso FJ, De-Arriba M, Garcia-Casado J, Alberola-Rubio J. Treatment of Dyspareunia with Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A: Clinical Improvement and Influence of Patients' Characteristics. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:8783. [PMID: 34444532 PMCID: PMC8393724 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The treatment of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) with botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) has increased lately, but more studies assessing its effect are needed. This study aimed to evaluate the evolution of patients after BoNT/A infiltration and identify potential responders to treatment. Twenty-four women with CPP associated with dyspareunia were treated with 90 units of BoNT/A injected into their pelvic floor muscle (PFM). Clinical status and PFM activity were monitored in a previous visit (PV) and 12 and 24 weeks after the infiltration (W12, W24) by validated clinical questionnaires and surface electromyography (sEMG). The influence of patients' characteristics on the reduction in pain at W12 and W24 was also assessed. After treatment, pain scores and the impact of symptoms on quality of life dropped significantly, sexual function improved and sEMG signal amplitude decreased on both sides of the PFM with no adverse events. Headaches and bilateral pelvic pain were risk factors for a smaller pain improvement at W24, while lower back pain was a protective factor. Apart from reporting a significant clinical improvement of patients with CPP associated with dyspareunia after BoNT/A infiltration, this study shows that clinical characteristics should be analyzed in detail to identify potential responders to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Tarazona-Motes
- Servicio de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe de Valencia, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (M.T.-M.); (F.J.N.-A.); (M.D.-A.)
| | - Monica Albaladejo-Belmonte
- Centro de Investigación e Innovación en Bioingeniería, Universitat Politècnica de València, Edif. 8B, Camino de Vera SN, 46022 Valencia, Spain; (M.A.-B.); (J.G.-C.)
| | - Francisco J. Nohales-Alfonso
- Servicio de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe de Valencia, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (M.T.-M.); (F.J.N.-A.); (M.D.-A.)
| | - Maria De-Arriba
- Servicio de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe de Valencia, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (M.T.-M.); (F.J.N.-A.); (M.D.-A.)
| | - Javier Garcia-Casado
- Centro de Investigación e Innovación en Bioingeniería, Universitat Politècnica de València, Edif. 8B, Camino de Vera SN, 46022 Valencia, Spain; (M.A.-B.); (J.G.-C.)
| | - Jose Alberola-Rubio
- Unidad de Bioelectrónica, Procesamiento de señales y Algoritmia, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
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