[Preliminary results of botulinum toxin in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia]

Botulinum toxin was first used in urology in the field of neuro-urology as treatment for detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia and incontinence due to neurogenic overactive bladder. Its action has now been clearly demonstrated and it is now widely used for the treatment of neurogenic overactive bladder. Can botulinum toxin also constitute an effective treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)? Intraprostatic botulinum toxin injections have been shown to have a significant clinical and urodynamic efficacy by acting on both the static and dynamic components of BPH. The advantages of botulinum toxin are its ease of use, the absence of any reported adverse effects and its prolonged duration of action. Well conducted, prospective, controlled studies on larger sample sizes must now be performed to confirm these preliminary results. This review of the literature presents the preliminary results of intraprostatic botulinum toxin injection supporting its use in the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia.