Comparison of Microwave-Based Therapy and Negative-Pressure Suction-Curettage for Axillary Hyperhidrosis and Bromhidrosis: A Retrospective Analysis

Ann Plast Surg. 2024 Aug 1;93(2S Suppl 1):S86-S88. doi: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000003929.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Axillary hyperhidrosis and bromhidrosis are common clinical diseases, affecting the patients’ work and life. Negative-pressure suction-curettage is the most popular treatment now, but challenged by a new microwave-based therapy (MiraDry). We intend to compare the safety and efficiency of the 2 treatments.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 39 female patients with both primary hyperhidrosis and bromhidrosis was conducted. Seventeen patients were treated with MiraDry, and 22 underwent negative-pressure suction-curettage. The postoperative follow-up program included sweat and odor assessments, satisfaction measurement, safety evaluation, and recurrence assessment at different time points until 12 months.

RESULTS: Both treatments showed a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in HDSS score and odor level at 6 and 12 months compared with the baseline. No significant difference in relative reduction was observed between the 2 groups. The satisfaction score of the microwave-based therapy group was higher than that of the negative-pressure suction-curettage group, but no statistical difference was found. The difference in the recurrence rate and complication rate between the groups did not reach significance.

CONCLUSIONS: Microwave-based therapy is a noninvasive treatment with durable effects, low risks, shorter downtime, good appearance, and high satisfaction for axillary hyperhidrosis and bromhidrosis.

PMID:39101854 | DOI:10.1097/SAP.0000000000003929

Hyperhidrosis and Neurofibromatosis Type 1: A Case Report

Cureus. 2024 Jun 24;16(6):e63021. doi: 10.7759/cureus.63021. eCollection 2024 Jun.

ABSTRACT

In this report, we present the case of a 20-year-old male with childhood-onset hyperhidrosis affecting his fingers and palm flexor surfaces. Dermatological examination revealed café-au-lait macules, palm and sole involvement, and axillary freckling. A starch-iodine test confirmed localized sweating. Neuroimaging identified neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) with subcutaneous nodules and dural ectasia in the thoracic spine. The patient was diagnosed with hyperhidrosis and NF1 based on diagnostic criteria, and he responded well to 20% aluminum chloride for treatment of hyperhidrosis. This case represents a unique occurrence of hyperhidrosis with NF1 in Saudi Arabia. Comprehensive evaluation, including systemic assessment, radiology, and starch-iodine testing, aids in diagnosis and understanding of the underlying mechanisms of this disorder, which remains unexplained.

PMID:39050311 | PMC:PMC11267592 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.63021

Treatment of Primary Axillary Hyperhidrosis with Two Doses of Botulinum Toxin A-Observational Study

Toxins (Basel). 2024 Jul 16;16(7):320. doi: 10.3390/toxins16070320.

ABSTRACT

Hyperhidrosis (HH) is defined as the production of more sweat than is necessary for its thermoregulatory function, negatively affecting patients’ quality of life and interfering with their social, work and family life. In this context, the aim of thisstudy was to evaluate the efficacy of two different doses of botulinum toxin type A (50 or 100 units) in each axilla in severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis. A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional and post-authorisation study was conducted onpatients referred to our department.Thirty-one patients with severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis were included, some of whom received more than one infiltration during the follow-up period, performing a total of 82 procedures. They were assigned by simple random sampling to two types of treatment: infiltration of 50 or 100 units (U) of botulinum toxin A per axilla.Hyperhidrosis severity was assessed using the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS), and quality of life was assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire. Onabotulinum toxin A infiltration reduced the severity of hyperhidrosis and improved the quality of life of the treated patients, with no significant differences between the two groups.

PMID:39057960 | DOI:10.3390/toxins16070320

Internalized stigma, disease severity, quality of life, anxiety and depression in axillary hyperhidrosis

Ann Dermatol Venereol. 2024 Jul 15;151(3):103291. doi: 10.1016/j.annder.2024.103291. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Axillary hyperhidrosis (AH) is characterized by excessive underarm sweating. It is a chronic autonomic disorder that can lead to social embarrassment, impaired quality of life (QoL), anxiety and depression. Internalized stigma (IS), defined as the acceptance of negative societal attitudes and stereotypes about an individual’s illness, has not been previously studied in AH. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of IS in patients with AH and the relationships between IS, disease severity, quality of life, anxiety, and depression.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and four patients with AH were included in the study. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded. The Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) was used to define disease severity. Assessment was made using the Internalized Stigma Scale (ISS) (between 29 and 116, the higher the score the greater the stigma), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI).

RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 34.1 ± 10.9 years. The HDSS grade was mostly moderate to severe. The mean ISS score was 57.5 ± 6.5. Median HADS scores were 7 [interquartile range (IQR) 2-12] and 5 [IQR 2-10], respectively. HADS scores ≥ 8 were observed respectively in 39.4% and 8.7% of patients. The median DLQI score was 14 [IQR 4-24]. A DLQI score ≥ 11 was observed in 75% of patients. Significant correlation was found between ISS score and HDSS (r = 0.445, p < 0.001), HADS-A (r = 0.455, p < 0.001), DLQI (r = 0.478, p < 0.001) scores and symptom duration (r = 0.207, p = 0.035). The relationship between ISS and HADS depression scores was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION: IS is common in patients with AH. Disease severity, symptom duration and anxiety increased IS. Patient’s quality of life is reduced in AH.

PMID:39013257 | DOI:10.1016/j.annder.2024.103291

Long-term efficacy of fractional microneedle radiofrequency versus botulinum toxin-A in primary axillary hyperhidrosis: a randomized controlled trial

Lasers Med Sci. 2024 Jul 10;39(1):177. doi: 10.1007/s10103-024-04115-x.

ABSTRACT

Primary axillary hyperhidrosis is an idiopathic disorder that creates severe psycho-social burden due to excessive uncontrolled sweating. Various therapeutic agents have been described, but each has its own limitations. The use of fractional microneedling radiofrequency has emerged lately with promising results. This study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of fractional microneedle radiofrequency in comparison to Botulinum toxin-A (BT-A) in patients with primary axillary hyperhidrosis. In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 20 patients (40 sides) were randomized to either fractional microneedle radiofrequency (4 sessions at 3-week intervals) or BT-A (single session), where each side received one of the treatment modalities. Efficacy was measured at 3, 6 and 12 months using Minor’s starch iodine test, HDSS score, Hqol questionnaire, and patient satisfaction. Fractional microneedle radiofrequency, although showed moderate efficacy, is inferior to BT-A regarding longitudinal efficacy at 12 months, as well as patients’ satisfaction. Both treatment modalities showed to be equally safe, but fractional microneedle radiofrequency procedure was substantially more painful. In conclusion, fractional microneedle radiofrequency does not offer a better substitute to BT-A in primary axillary hyperhidrosis. BT-A shows higher efficacy, is less painful, less expensive, and needs a smaller number of sessions.

PMID:38981914 | DOI:10.1007/s10103-024-04115-x

Subclinical effects of botulinum toxin A and microwave thermolysis for axillary hyperhidrosis: A descriptive study with line-field confocal optical coherence tomography and histology

Exp Dermatol. 2024 Jun;33(6):e15110. doi: 10.1111/exd.15110.

ABSTRACT

Botulinum toxin A (BTX) and microwave thermolysis (MWT) are standard axillary hyperhidrosis treatments, but comparison of their subclinical effects is lacking. Line-field confocal optical coherence tomography (LC-OCT) is a promising non-invasive imaging tool for visualizing tissue-interactions. This study aimed to describe subclinical effects of BTX and MWT for axillary hyperhidrosis with LC-OCT-imaging compared to histology. This study derived from an intra-individual, randomized, controlled trial, treating axillary hyperhidrosis with BTX versus MWT. Subclinical effects based on LC-OCT images from baseline and 6-month follow-up (n = 8 patients) were evaluated and compared to corresponding histological samples. At baseline, LC-OCT visualized eccrine pores at the skin surface and ducts in the upper dermis (500 μm), but not deeper-lying sweat glands. Histology identified entire sweat glands. Six months post-treatment, LC-OCT revealed no detectable morphology changes in any BTX-treated axillae (100%), while recognizing obstructed eccrine pores and atrophy of eccrine ducts in most MWT-treated axillae (75%). Histology corroborated LC-OCT findings, while also showing substantial changes to entire sweat glands. LC-OCT enabled visualization of subclinical alterations of superficial eccrine ducts after MWT and unchanged morphology after BTX. LC-OCT is a promising tool for non-invasive assessment of treatment-specific tissue-interactions that can be complementary to histology.

PMID:38884423 | DOI:10.1111/exd.15110

Botulinum toxin A versus microwave thermolysis for primary axillary hyperhidrosis: A randomized controlled trial

JAAD Int. 2024 Jan 23;15:91-99. doi: 10.1016/j.jdin.2023.12.011. eCollection 2024 Jun.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Botulinum toxin A (BTX) and microwave thermolysis (MWT) represent 2 treatment modalities for axillary hyperhidrosis with different procedural and efficacy profiles.

OBJECTIVE: To compare long-term outcomes following BTX vs MWT treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis.

METHODS: A prospective, randomized, within-patient, controlled trial, treating axillary hyperhidrosis with contralateral BTX and MWT. Objective sweat measurement and patient-reported outcome measures for sweat and odor were collected at baseline, 6-month and 1-year follow-up (6M/1YFU). Hair reduction and patient treatment preference was also assessed.

RESULTS: Sweat reduction was significant (all P <.01) for both interventions throughout the study. Objectively, sweat reduction was equal at 1-year FU (ΔP =.4282), but greater for BTX than MWT at 6-month FU (ΔP =.0053). Subjective sweat assessment presented comparable efficacy (6MFU: ΔP =.4142, 1YFU: ΔP =.1025). Odor reduction was significant (all P <.01) following both interventions, whereas only sustaining for MWT (6MFU: ΔP =.6826, 1YFU: ΔP =.0098). Long-term, hair reduction was visible after MWT, but not BTX (ΔP ≤.0001), and MWT was preferred by the majority of patients (76%).

LIMITATIONS: The intrinsic challenges in efficacy assessment.

CONCLUSION: This study exhibited BTX and MWT with similar sweat reduction, but distinguishable odor and hair reduction at 1-year FU. These findings support individualized treatment approaches for axillary hyperhidrosis based on patient-specific symptoms and preferences.

PMID:38495540 | PMC:PMC10940128 | DOI:10.1016/j.jdin.2023.12.011

The Efficacy of Long-Pulsed, 1064-nm Nd:YAG Laser Versus Aluminum Chloride 20% Solution in the Treatment of Axillary Hyperhidrosis

J Lasers Med Sci. 2023 Dec 29;14:e71. doi: 10.34172/jlms.2023.71. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Hyperhidrosis (HH) refers to uncontrollable excessive sweating that has a significant negative impact on the quality of life. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of the long-pulsed, 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser and aluminum chloride (ALCL3 ) 20% solution in axillary HH treatment. Methods: In this single-center, within-patient comparison clinical trial, 12 patients with axillary HH were treated monthly for 3 to 4 consecutive sessions with the long-pulsed, 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser system on one axilla, while the contralateral axilla was treated with ALCL3 20 % by the patient. Treatment response was evaluated by comparing the area of sweating at the end of each session and 6 months after treatment termination using the iodine starch test. Results: Both treatments led to the reduction of HH from baseline with the mean area of sweating reduced from 109.3±36.6 to 38.3±19.8 and from 92.5±31.6 to 35.6±17.1 in laser- and ALCL3-treated axilla respectively (Both P<0.001). In the 6-month follow-up, the area of sweating was 60.6±29.2 in the laser-treated armpit and 78.3±23.6 in the ALCL3-treated side, which were 45% and 14.4% lower compared to the baseline respectively. Adverse events were temporary, and none caused each of the treatments to be discontinued. Conclusion: The long-pulsed, 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser with hair reduction setting can stand as a potential therapeutic option for axillary HH since it is as effective as ALCL3. The therapeutic effect is superior in the long term for the laser; nevertheless, the beneficial effect of both treatments may lessen the following treatment cessation.

PMID:38318217 | PMC:PMC10843241 | DOI:10.34172/jlms.2023.71