Botulinum toxin treatment in patients up to 3 years of age who have esotropic Duane retraction syndrome.

PURPOSE: To report the results of botulinum toxin (BOTOX®, Allergan) type A (BTA) bilateral injection in the treatment of Duane retraction syndrome (DRS) type 1 in patients aged up to 3 years.

METHODS

We studied the results of BTA bilateral injection in eight consecutive patients with DRS type 1 and esotropia in primary gaze. Average follow-up was 74 ± 71 months. The main variables analyzed were horizontal and vertical deviation and face turn. Patients were anesthetized with nitrous oxide (N2O). A mean dosage of 5.6 ± 1.8 IU (range 2.5-7.5 IU) of botulinum toxin diluted in 0.9% saline solution was injected under electromyography control in each medial rectus muscle.

RESULTS

Seven patients had one affected eye and one patient had bilateral involvement. The mean preoperative esotropia was 32 ± 10 prism diopters (PD). Three patients (37.5%) had also a vertical deviation. All patients had face turn ranging between 15° and 45° before BTA injection. In the last follow-up, 4 patients were orthotropic (50%), 1 (12.5%) had 3 PD exotropia and 3 (37.5%) had esotropia averaging 25 PD mean. The 3 esotropic patients needed surgical correction. Vertical strabismus improved in 3 patients achieving complete resolution in one of these patients. Two patients, without vertical strabismus before the BTA injection, developed a 5-PD vertical deviation, one of them required surgery. Face turn improved in all patients.

CONCLUSION

Botulinum toxin injection is an alternative treatment for patients with DRS type 1 presents esotropia and face turn in children up to 3 years of age.