[Botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) point injection for treatment of the third lumbar transverse process syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To observe clinical therapeutic effect of acupoint injection of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) on the third lumbar transverse process syndrome. METHODS: Twenty-five cases of the third lumbar transverse process syndrome were randomly divided into 2 groups, an acupoint-injection group (n=10) and an acupuncture group (n=15). The acupoint-injection group were treated with acupoint injection of BTX-A into tender points at the third lumbar transverse process or surrounding acupoints, and the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at the same points as in the acupoint-injection group. Two months later, their therapeutic effects and the time of producing the effect were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The cured rate and the time of producing the effect were 50.0% and (3.75+/-1.65) days in the acupoint-injection group, and 0, (12.47+/-5.33) days in the acupuncture group, respectively, the former being better than the latter (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The clinical therapeutic effect of injection of BTX-A on the third lumbar transverse process syndrome is better than that of simple acupuncture.