Contralateral weakness and fatigue after high-dose botulinum toxin injection for management of poststroke spasticity

Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2009 Jun;88(6):495-9. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0b013e3181a5b056.

Abstract

A 53-yr-old woman developed contralateral weakness and fatigue, without autonomic symptoms, 2 wks after receiving an injection with 800 units of botulinum toxin A for management of her poststroke spasticity. Although the patient reported resolution 4 wks later, clinical evaluations suggested an even longer time course. The patient then experienced the same contralateral symptoms again more than a year later, after a 500-unit injection, which took a similar length of time to resolve. We report the first known case of repeated contralateral weakness and fatigue after high-dose botulinum toxin A injection. Currently, dosage is largely titrated by the practitioner based on individual patient response. Before performing botulinum toxin A injections for therapeutic purposes, the expected risks and benefits for each patient must be carefully considered.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Dyskinesia Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Dyskinesia Agents / adverse effects*
  • Botulinum Toxins / administration & dosage
  • Botulinum Toxins / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Spasticity / drug therapy*
  • Muscle Spasticity / etiology
  • Muscle Weakness / chemically induced*
  • Stroke / complications*

Substances

  • Anti-Dyskinesia Agents
  • Botulinum Toxins