A new treatment for frostbite sequelae; Botulinum toxin

• Published in: International Journal of Circumpolar Health
• Main Authors: Norheim, Arne Johan, Mercer, James, Musial, Frauke, de Weerd, Louis
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Open 2017
• Subjects: Frostbite; cold injury; botulinum toxin; vasospastic disorder; thermography; non-freezing cold injury; quantitative sensory testing; angiography; military; army; VDP::Medisinske Fag: 700::Klinisk medisinske fag: 750; VDP::Medical disciplines: 700::Clinical medical disciplines: 750; Arctic; The Soldier; Circumpolar Health; International Journal of Circumpolar Health
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10037/12290; https://doi.org/10.1080/22423982.2016.1273677

Source at https://doi.org/10.1080/22423982.2016.1273677 . Frostbite sequelae are a relevant occupational injury outcome for soldiers in arctic environments. A Caucasian male soldier suffered frostbite to both hands during a military winter exercise. He developed sensory-motor disturbances and cold hypersensitivity. Angiography and thermography revealed impaired blood flow while Quantitative Sensory Testing indicated impaired somato-sensory nerve function. Two years after the initial event, he received an off label treatment with Botulinum toxin distributed around the neurovascular bundles of each finger. After treatment, cold sensitivity was reduced while blood flow and somato-sensory nerve function improved. The successful treatment enabled the soldier to successfully pursue his career in the army.