Treatment of recalcitrant intermetatarsal neuroma with 4% sclerosing alcohol injection: a pilot study.

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to conduct a prospective trial to assess the effectiveness of a 4% sclerosing alcohol injection in a small group of patients with intermetatarsal neuromas who had failed previous conservative therapies including corticosteroid injections. Six patients with 8 neuromas were followed for a mean 346 days. A weekly series of 3-9 injections containing 1 mL of the 4% alcohol sclerosing solution were given based on patient response to treatment. Pre- and posttreatment surveys consisting of both objective and subjective findings including a visual analog pain scale were collected. The average pretreatment visual analog pain rating was 7.5 +/- 1.14. The average posttreatment visual analog pain rating was 1.38 +/- 2.39 with an average reduction of 6.13. The average reported improvement in symptoms was 73%. Five of the 6 patients would recommend the treatment to a friend or family member. No complications were encountered. Two neuromas in 2 patients failed the sclerosing injection course: 1 ultimately responded to antiinflammatory use and the other underwent excision.

• Authors: Christopher F Hyer, Lynette R Mehl, Alan J Block, Robert B Vancourt
• Journal: The Journal of foot and ankle surgery : official publication of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (J Foot Ankle Surg) 2005 Jul-Aug Vol. 44 Issue 4 Pg. 287-91 ISSN: 1067-2516 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16012436 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Sclerosing Solutions
• Ethanol

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Ethanol (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Foot Diseases (therapy)
• Humans
• Injections
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neuroma (therapy)
• Pilot Projects
• Prospective Studies
• Sclerosing Solutions (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome