The use of botulinum toxin type A in urology

Abstract

This review highlights the use of botulinum toxin type A in the Urology mainly in the medical treatment of detrusor overactivity (D0). Anticholinergic drugs are usually the gold standard to treat detrusor overactivity. Adverse effects and lack of efficacy are two the main causes for considering alternatives treatments. Until recently, invasive surgery (mainly bladder augmentation) was the only available treatment option for patients with intractable DO. This article considers botulinum toxin type A injection as an alternative treatment to surgery in patients with DO who do not respond to anticholinergic therapy. The use of botulinum toxin type A has also expanded into the painful bladder syndrome and in benign prostatic hyperplasia with promising preliminary results.