INTRODUCTION
Botulinum toxin type A (BTA) is a neurotoxic protein that binds to soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor, preventing release of neurotransmitters from presynaptic nerves.1 BTA is hypothesized to directly exert analgesic properties by reducing release of mediators like substance P, glutamate, and calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP); in one mouse model of neuropathic pain, a single injection of BTA was shown to significantly reduce allodynia for up to 3 weeks.1,2 Clinically, BTA has shown promise in treating disorders characterized by neuropathic pain, including trigeminal neuralgia, postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, as well as postsurgical neuropathic pain from thoracotomies, carpal tunnel surgery and more.1,3-5 Recently, there have also been successful reports using BTA to treat painful keloid scars and postoperative Mohs scars.6-8 Here, we present a patient with refractory neuropathic pain in a normotrophic spread-scar successfully treated with injection of BTA.
CASE
the left upper arm presented with pain at the site of her excision scar. Her melanoma was removed by wide local excision 5 years prior; after the incision healed she began to experience constant pain in the scar. She described the pain as a “pins and needles” sensation that alternated with a dull, deep ache. The pain significantly impacted her quality of life, waking her from sleep and preventing her from lying on her left side. She also noticed surface changes of the skin that left the scar uneven to the touch. She had previously tried topical lidocaine and topical and intralesional steroids without any effect. She had used gabapentin 100 mg three times daily but stopped taking it due to sedation. On physical examination there was a 15-cm normotrophic, slightly pink surgical scar with prominent spreading of the inferior two-thirds of the scar on the left upper lateral arm (Figure 1A).
To treat the scar, 50 units of BTA were injected intradermally at 1-1.5 cm intervals within and immediately around the perimeter of the scar (Figure 1B). The patient tolerated the procedure well with minimal pain and no complications. At a 1-week follow-up, there was a self-reported 10% decrease in pain associated with the scar. Four weeks after the procedure, the patient reported a 50% decrease in her pain from baseline along with relaxation and smoothening of the scar surface. These effects have been sustained greater than 5 months after treatment.
To treat the scar, 50 units of BTA were injected intradermally at 1-1.5 cm intervals within and immediately around the perimeter of the scar (Figure 1B). The patient tolerated the procedure well with minimal pain and no complications. At a 1-week follow-up, there was a self-reported 10% decrease in pain associated with the scar. Four weeks after the procedure, the patient reported a 50% decrease in her pain from baseline along with relaxation and smoothening of the scar surface. These effects have been sustained greater than 5 months after treatment.
