Botulinum toxin A in the early treatment of sixth nerve palsy in type 2 diabetes

PURPOSE: Our study aims at evaluating the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin A in the early treatment of sixth nerve palsy in type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: This study is a prospective and interventional clinical case series of patients presenting with acute onset of sixth cranial nerve palsy, who received injection botulinum toxin A. RESULTS: Thirty-one cases were included in the study. 58% of the study subjects had incomplete palsy at presentation (abduction deficit -1 to -3) and 42% had complete palsy (-4 and -5). The median dosage of injection was 5 U (range 3--6 U). The median follow-up period is 2 months. The P value shows that there is statistically significant improvement in head turn, ocular deviation in primary position, and improvement in abduction between baseline and 1 week (P-value <0.001), 1 month (P-value <0.001) and 2 month (P-value <0.001) postinjection follow-up visits. 90.3% of patients had full resolution of symptoms in the last follow-up visit. 83.9% of patients were successfully treated. CONCLUSION: Early injection of botulinum toxin A in select patients with acquired sixth nerve palsy due to diabetes is a safe and efficient treatment option in alleviating symptoms, restoring function and quality of life and reducing need for surgical interventions in future.