Optimization of OnabotulinumtoxinA (BTX-A) Injection for the Treatment of Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction

Optimization of OnabotulinumtoxinA (BTX-A) Injection for the Treatment of Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and standardize the way providers perform OnabotulinumtoxinA (BTX-A) injections into the bladder for the diagnosis of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD)/overactive bladder (OAB). NLUTD/OAB is a syndrome that affects many people, and includes urinary frequency, urinary urgency, urgency incontinence, and nocturia. This syndrome can be challenging to treat and often requires procedural management - including BTX-A injections into the bladder.

Neurological disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), Parkinson's Disease (PD), Spina Bifida (SB), and stroke disrupt neural control of voiding and lead to the development of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD), which develops when either the detrusor muscle fails to maintain effective contractions (voiding phase) or fails to relax appropriately with low pressures (storage phase), if the urethral sphincter (internal or external) fails to lower its tonicity and resistance, or if there is an asynchrony in events eventually leading to detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD). Different patterns of NLUTD (including both storage and voiding) can arise depending on the level of injury or type of neurological disease. It can be characterized by urinary urgency, frequency and incontinence or urinary hesitancy and retention that leads to urinary tract infections (UTIs). Some patients develop neurogenic overactive bladder (NOAB).

Management of NOAB symptoms is complex. Treatment with BTX-A has been shown to decrease episodes of urinary incontinence and improve quality of life in this population. It has also been shown to ameliorate a multitude of devastating complications, such as upper tract deterioration, recurrent urinary tract infections, sepsis, and death. According to the current manufacturer's recommendation, a standard 200-unit vial of Botox® should be diluted in 30cc of 0.9% saline and injected across 30 different sites in the detrusor muscle (Figure 2). Despite these guidelines, there are wide variations in administration techniques, raising the question what is the best depth and location for injection, and optimal concentration and volume of toxin per injection site. The objective of this study is to determine the optimal injection schema for 200 units or more of intradetrusor BTX-A in patients with NOAB in the office setting.

The investigators hypothesize that patients with NOAB symptoms undergoing intradetrusor injection of 200 units (or more) of BTX-A will be more willing to pursue additional sessions of BTX-A injections with a protocol utilizing less injection sites, while still maintaining effectiveness of the procedure.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult men and women (>18 years of age) with a diagnosis of neurological conditions such as MS, PD, CVA, myelomeningocele, SCI, or traumatic brain injury longer than 6 months prior to treatment.
• Diagnosis of neurogenic bladder indicated for treatment with BTX-A for OAB symptoms.
• Participants must be able to provide informed consent, as well as understand and be willing to undergo.

follow-up procedures and completion of all questionnaires provided during the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Symptomatic UTI at the time of procedure, defined as positive nitrites or high-volume leukocyte esterase on urine dip in addition to at least one of the following symptoms: dysuria, gross hematuria, suprapubic pain, frequency/urgency above baseline.
• Diagnosis of bladder pain syndrome or other chronic pain syndrome including fibromyalgia, chronic pelvic pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, levator myalgia.
• Untreated bladder malignancy.
• Women who are currently pregnant or breast feeding.
• Contraindications to intradetrusor BTX-A injections.