COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY GUIDED THORACIC SYMPATHOLYSIS FOR PALMAR HYPERHIDROSIS

Methods. Sixteen patients (mean age 26.3 years; range 18-38) with palm ar hyperhidrosis underwent 29 sympatholyses after unsuccessful medical , and in 8 ionophoresis, treatments. Sympatholysis was performed under local anesthesia with computed tomographic guidance. After opacificat ion of the injection site at T3 with Iopamiron 200, phenolization was performed with 10 ml 6% phenol. Results. Good immediate results evalua ted on the basis of venous dilatation, and dryness and warmth of the s kin were obtained in 23 cases (80%). There were 6 immediately unsucces sful procedures in 4 patients. At 20 months, good results, assessed on the basis of objective criteria and subjective patient self-evaluatio n were obtained in 22 cases (75% including immediate failures). Comput ed tomography guided thoracic sympatholysis performed under local anes thesia is an effective treatment for palmar hyperhidrosis, Morbidity i s low and hospital stay is short. Conclusions. Our findings suggest th at thoracic sympatholysis should be indicated as the first intention p rocedure when surgery is required in patients with palmar hyperhidrosi s.