Long-term results of endoscopic injection of botulinum toxin in elderly achalasic patients with tortuous megaesophagus or epiphrenic diverticulum.

Abstract

Recent studies suggest that endoscopic injection of botulinum toxin (BTX) for achalasia is a safe procedure giving short-term relief of symptoms mainly in elderly patients (> 50 years). The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of periodic BTX treatments in high risk achalasia patients. A total of 20 consecutive achalasia patients, aged > 60 years (11 women; 71+/-11 years), with general (ASA class III or IV) and local risk factors (i.e. tortuous megaesophagus or epiphrenic diverticulum) for complications associated with pneumatic dilation, were treated by local injection of 100 U of BTX into the gastric cardia, using the four-quadrant technique. The patients were prospectively followed for a median period of 2 years (range 5-48 months), using a symptom score (1-14 points) and barium esophagograms. Symptomatic improvement (decrease of the symptom score > or = 3 points) was found in 16/20 patients (80%), 6 weeks after the first BTX injection, and the cardia diameter increased from 2.1+/-0.7 to 3.2+/-1.2 mm (P < 0.01) (data are means +/- SD). Those patients who initially responded to BTX treatment developed a symptomatic relapse after a median follow-up of 5+/-2 months. They were treated by subsequent BTX re-injections (2.5+/-1 sessions per patient, range 1-5) resulting in longer lasting symptom relief (10+/-3 months, P < 0.05 vs. initial BTX injection). At completion of the study, 14/20 high risk achalasia patients (70 %) treated with periodic BTX injections are still in clinical remission. One further patient died without relapse 6 months after a single BTX treatment as a consequence of progressive heart failure. Four patients who did not respond to BTX injection were successfully and uneventfully treated by careful pneumatic dilation (n = 3) or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (n = 1). Endoscopic botulinum toxin injection has reasonable long-term efficacy and safety in elderly achalasia patients who are at increased risk with regard to pneumatic dilation.