CT-GUIDED PERCUTANEOUS LUMBAR SYMPATICOLY SIS FOR PERIPHERAL ARTERIALOCCLUSIVE DISEASE

Between June 1991 and November 1992, 36 patients with peripheral arter ial occlusive disease were treated by CT-guided percutaneous lumbar sy mpathicolysis. Three months after the procedure, 39 % claimed subjecti ve improvement, 53 % were unchanged and 8 % were worse. Walking distan ce increased significantly from 86 to 167 m (p = 0,02). There was a co mparable increase in walking distance between diabetics and non-diabet ics. Comparison of one and two level procedures (each 50 %) also showe d similar increase in walking distance. There were no serious complica tions. The results justify the use of CT-guided percutaneous lumbar sy mpathicolysis in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease w ho are unsuitable for treatment by revascularisation. The procedure ca n be carried out on an outpatient basis and on otherwise inoperable pa tients and therefore has significant advantages compared with surgical sympathectomy.