The Effects of Intradetrusor BoNT-A Injections on Vesicoureteral Reflux in Children With Myelodysplasia

PURPOSE: We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT-A) on vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), continence status, and urodynamic parameters in children with myelodysplasia who were not responsive to standard conservative therapy. METHODS: The study included 31 children (13 boys, 18 girls) with a mean age of 9.2±2.3 years (range, 5–14 years) with myelodysplasia, retrospectively. All children were fully compatible with clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) and did not respond to the maximum tolerable anticholinergic dose. All children received an intradetrusor injection of 10 U/kg (maximum, 300 U) of BoNT-A into an infection-free bladder. All patients had VUR (22 unilateral, 9 bilateral) preoperatively. The grade of reflux was mild (grades 1, 2), intermediate (grade 3), and severe (grades 4, 5) in 25, 7, and 8 ureters, respectively. RESULTS: The mean maximum bladder capacity increased from 152.9±76.9 mL to 243.7±103 mL (P<0.001), and the maximum detrusor pressure decreased from 57±29.4 cm H(2)O to 29.6±13.9 cm H(2)O (P<0.001). After BoNT-A treatment, 16 refluxing ureters (40%) completely resolved, 17 (42.5%) improved, 5 (12.5%) remained unchanged, and 2 (5%) became worse. Of the 31 children with urinary leakage between CICs, 22 (71%) became completely dry, 6 (19%) improved, and 3 (10%) experienced partial improvement. CONCLUSIONS: In children with myelodysplasia, we were able to increase bladder capacity, enhance continence, and prevent VUR by using intradetrusor BoNT-A injections. Although our results are promising, a larger group of long-term prospective studies are warranted to investigate this method of treatment.