Botulinum Toxin Injection of the Flexor Digitorum Profundus: Are We Forgetting Something?

Dear editor,

We read with interest the recently published article “An Anatomical Perspective to Botulinum Toxin Injection of Flexor Digitorum Profundus” by Campisi et al. ¹ We would like to congratulate the authors for demonstrating how the anatomical findings are translated to a clinical setting to enhance injection protocols specifically of botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) for the management of flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) muscle spasticity post-stroke. However, we propose an alternative technique, using ultrasound (US) guidance, to specifically target the innervation zones (IZ).

First and foremost, we second the aforementioned study in their belief that is well established that injections are performed with better precision under US imaging. ¹ Next, we would like to highlight important anatomical locations in the skeletal muscle which are the IZ. These zones are defined as the three-dimensional band-like portion of the skeletal muscle in which neuromuscular junctions densely exist. ^2,3 Their intramuscular nerve distribution in skeletal muscles has been heavily researched and determined using many techniques, including cadaver dissection, Sihler’s staining techniques and histochemistry. ^3–5

Since BoNT-A can only be taken into the nerve terminals at the neuromuscular junctions, IZ-targeted BoNT-A injections are highly recommended to achieve an optimal therapeutic goal with lower doses and fewer side effects. Thus, transport of the BoNT-A in the muscle tissue is ensured by restricting the intramuscular injection near the muscle portion in which the IZ reside. It has been reported that BoNT-A injection 1 cm away from the end plate zone (in biceps brachii muscle) yielded an almost 50% reduction in its effect. ^3,4 For that reason, injections should not only be performed under US guidance to target the correct muscle while protecting nearby neurovascular structures, but should also target the accurate location of IZ.

In this context, as proven by the Modified Sihler staining ⁵ , we recommend BoNT-A injection of the FDP differently. It has been found that the reference line is between the interepicondylar-interstyloid, with the IZ being at 13–75% and 35–91% with two injections being given at 40% medially and 60% laterally. ⁴ In this regard, the location of two BoNT-A injection sites were found to be 4.8 cm apart in a 24-cm forearm length (Fig. 1). This also allows adequate dissemination of the toxin along the width of the muscle, keeping in mind that in an animal study, distribution of the BoNT-A was detected up to 4.5 cm. ^3,6

Figure 1. The appropriate probe positionings (rectangles) and the corresponding ultrasound images revealing the flexor digitorum profundus muscle (FDP) 4^th and 5^th (at the 40% level) (A) and 2^nd and 3^rd (at the 60% level) (B) of the reference line between the interepicondylar and interstyloid. At the proximal-medial level, the needle is directed more superficially to inject the 4^th and 5^th muscle bellies, and at the distal-lateral level, the needle is directed more superficially to inject the 2^nd and 3^rd muscle bellies. R = radius; U = ulna; n = ulnar nerve; a = ulnar artery; m = median nerve; FCU = Flexor carpi Ulnaris.