Conservative Management of Median Nerve Brachial Plexopathy after Microwave-based MiraDry Treatment for Axillary Hyperhidrosis

Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2021 Dec 15;9(12):e3992. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000003992. eCollection 2021 Dec.

ABSTRACT

Axillary hyperhidrosis is characterized by excessive sweating of the armpits, which can significantly affect quality of life. A new microwave-based therapy, MiraDry (Miramar labs, Sunnyvale, Calif.), is a promising minimally-invasive treatment option. We report a case of unilateral brachial plexus thermal injury in a thin 19-year-old man treated for axillary hyperhidrosis with the MiraDry system. He initially experienced swelling and pain in the left hand and was prescribed 1 week of methylprednisolone. He then presented 1 week later with induration and swelling of bilateral axillae with swelling of left thumb, left index, and left long fingers, decreased sensation in median nerve distribution of the left hand, and the inability to flex the left index finger DIP joint. EMG showed absent median nerve motor and sensory function, consistent with median nerve plexopathy. He was conservatively managed with close observation and regular occupational hand therapy appointments. At his 12-month follow-up, there was complete return of left pronator teres strength, thumb flexion, and index finger flexion. Decreased sensation remained at the tip of the left index finger. We report the case of median nerve palsy after MiraDry therapy for axillary hyperhidrosis in a thin young man. We recommend using low-energy settings and pre-procedural ultrasound for young, thin patients because of the more superficial course of the brachial plexus within the axilla.

PMID:34926103 | PMC:PMC8673972 | DOI:10.1097/GOX.0000000000003992

Sofpironium bromide: an investigational agent for the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis

Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2021 Dec 10. doi: 10.1080/13543784.2022.2017880. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: In the last years, increased knowledge about pathophysiology of primary hyperhidrosis has led to novel therapeutic advances. Topical and systemic anticholinergic agents have been proven beneficial in reducing sweat production in primary axillary hyperhidrosis (PAH), although their use is limited by the increased likelihood of systemic anticholinergic drug reactions, particularly regarding the systemic agents.

AREAS COVERED: This paper provides an overview of pharmaceutical characteristics, efficacy and safety data from phase II and III clinical trials on sofpironium bromide (SB), a topical anticholinergic agent which has been employed for the treatment of PAH and has already received its first approval in Japan for the treatment of PAH in the form of 5% gel formulation.

EXPERT OPINION: The retrometabolic drug design of topical SB presents distinct advantages, by limiting systemic absorption and therefore development of anticholinergic adverse events. This along with the popularity of the non-greasy gel formulation is expected to increase compliance. However, this therapy still offers a temporary control of PAH, compared to sympathectomy or device-based treatments, such as microwave thermolysis. Hence, physicians should balance the effectiveness against adverse events of each therapeutic modality and use a personalized approach based on patient’s needs.

PMID:34890517 | DOI:10.1080/13543784.2022.2017880

Compensatory sweating after thoracoscopic sympathectomy for primary focal hyperhidrosis in children: Are there patient-related risk factors?

J Pediatr Surg. 2021 Oct 30:S0022-3468(21)00747-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2021.10.036. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Compensatory sweating (CS) is a common complication after thoracoscopic sympathectomy (TS) and is mainly associated with surgical technique. Our aim was to identify potential risk-factors for CS following TS for primary focal hyperhidrosis in children.

METHODS: A retrospective, single-center review of all bilateral TS was performed between 2017 and 2019. Hyperhidrosis disease severity scale was used for pre-operative severity assessment. Post-operative evaluations were performed after three and six months.

RESULTS: More than the 36-month period, 41 patients were submitted to T2-T4 TS, and 25 were females (60.9%). Median age at surgery was 15.5 years. CS was identified at the 3rd month in 17 (41%) children with most in the dorsolumbar region (56%). By the 6th month, there was a significant reduction in CS (41 to 32%, p = 0.02). The probability of resolution of CS by 6 months is about 50% in both the dorsolumbar and abdominal regions. Neither age, gender, body mass index, family history, or concomitant illnesses seemed to influence CS (p > 0.05). Axillary hyperhidrosis appears to be associated with the development of dorsolumbar CS (p = 0.037).

CONCLUSION: Thoracoscopic sympathectomy for PFH is a safe and effective procedure, but compensatory sweating can be a common and debilitating side effect. Age, gender, and body mass index do not appear to influence CS. Axillary hyperhidrosis may be related to the development of dorsolumbar CS.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

PMID:34815104 | DOI:10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2021.10.036

Topical glycopyrronium tosylate in Japanese patients with primary axillary hyperhidrosis: A randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study

J Dermatol. 2021 Oct 11. doi: 10.1111/1346-8138.16188. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Glycopyrronium tosylate cloth, an anticholinergic drug, has been approved for the topical treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis in the USA, but its effects in Japanese patients have not been previously investigated. This 4-week, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, multicenter study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of glycopyrronium tosylate cloth for primary axillary hyperhidrosis patients in Japan. Eligible patients, who were ≥9 years of age and had primary axillary hyperhidrosis ≥6 months, with gravimetrically-measured sweat production ≥50 mg/5 min, and Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale ≥3 (moderate) were randomized 1:1:1 to once daily topical glycopyrronium tosylate 3.75%, 2.5%, or vehicle. Overall, 497 patients (163 in the glycopyrronium tosylate 3.75% group, 168 in the glycopyrronium tosylate 2.5% group, and 166 in the vehicle group, hereinafter in this order) were randomized. Statistically higher proportions of patients in the glycopyrronium tosylate groups achieved ≥2-point improvement in Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale and ≥50% reduction in sweat production from baseline versus vehicle at week 4 (51.6%, 41.1%, and 16.4%, respectively; p < 0.001 in both cases). Higher responder rates in the glycopyrronium tosylate groups compared with the vehicle group occurred as early as week 1. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events in patients treated with glycopyrronium tosylate were photophobia, mydriasis, thirst, and dysuria. Most treatment-emergent adverse events were mild as determined by the investigators. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events leading to treatment modification was low in the three groups. The 4-week use of topical glycopyrronium tosylate improved the patient-reported outcome measure Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale and objectively-evaluated sweat production with a favorable benefit/risk profile.

PMID:34636057 | DOI:10.1111/1346-8138.16188

Perianal Hyperhidrosis Successfully Treated with Botulinum Toxin A

Skin Appendage Disord. 2021 Aug;7(5):404-407. doi: 10.1159/000515492. Epub 2021 Apr 28.

ABSTRACT

Perianal hyperhidrosis (HH) is a rare form of primary focal HH and may become a major problem for the patient with a significant psychosocial burden and negative impact on the quality of life. Botulinum toxin injections are widely used as a second-line treatment option for axillary, palmar, and plantar HH with a good safety profile. Herein, we pre-sent a case of primary perianal HH successfully treated with Botulinum toxin A at a dose higher than that previously reported in literature, with a longer response, a higher degree of satisfaction, and no adverse effects. Moreover, we review the main aspects of the perianal anatomy that are essential to carry out the technique correctly and make dermatologists achieve expertise with the procedure.

PMID:34604333 | PMC:PMC8436621 | DOI:10.1159/000515492

Retrospective analysis of the efficacy and duration of botulinum toxin A injections in 30 patients with palmar hyperhidrosis

Intern Med J. 2021 Sep;51(9):1517-1521. doi: 10.1111/imj.15489.

ABSTRACT

Palmar hyperhidrosis is a common disorder characterised by excessive sweating due to hyperfunction of the sweat glands. It can be classified as primary disease, or secondary to other causes. It has a high morbidity, and a range of treatment options. Botulinum toxin injections inhibit the release of acetylcholine from the presynaptic receptors. It is an effective treatment; however, it is infrequently selected as only axillary hyperhidrosis currently attracts a Medicare subsidy. We conducted a retrospective review of 30 patients at a Sydney dermatology clinic who received botulinum toxin injections for palmar hyperhidrosis within the past 5 years. This study has the largest patient cohort with this condition in Australia. There was evidence for a median reduction in the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale, a qualitative self-reported score, as well as an increasing duration of efficacy with repeated injections. There were minimal side-effects of weakness and numbness. There is also an association between treatment of palmar disease and improvement in plantar disease, which suggests that treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis should be considered earlier and more frequently.

PMID:34541778 | DOI:10.1111/imj.15489

The efficacy and safety of a fractional microneedle radiofrequency device for the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis: clinical prospective pilot study

Lasers Med Sci. 2021 Aug 28. doi: 10.1007/s10103-021-03404-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a fractional microneedle radiofrequency device (FMRD) for the treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis (PAH). The FMRD adopted insulated microneedles, which could be located at a depth of up to 4.5 mm and deliver a radiofrequency current in a fractional manner. Also, the device could automatically regulate the amount of the delivered energy. Sixteen Korean patients with PAH received two FMRD treatment sessions at a 3-week interval and were followed-up until week 15. The primary outcome was Patient Satisfaction Scale (PSS) score at each visit. Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) and Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) were also assessed. The area and amount of sweat produced were evaluated by specific tests. Mean PSS score significantly improved from 1.6 at week 3 to 2.5 at week 15 by 56%. More than a 50% improvement in sweating assessed by the PSS score was seen in 63% and 50% of patients at weeks 11 and 15, respectively. Mean HDSS score significantly decreased by week 3 and further decreased by week 7. Mean GAIS scores improved from the first follow-up visit at week 3 and improved again at week 7. The mean hyperhidrosis area assessed by starch-iodine test significantly decreased by 36% at week 15 compared with baseline. Mean transepidermal water loss level significantly decreased by 42% at week 15 compared with baseline. No patients experienced any serious adverse events. FMRD can be an effective and safe treatment modality for PAH.

PMID:34453655 | DOI:10.1007/s10103-021-03404-z

Endoscopic thoracic sympathotomy for primary hyperhidrosis: predictors of outcome over a 10-year period

Surg Endosc. 2021 Aug 23. doi: 10.1007/s00464-021-08684-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy/sympathotomy is gold standard of treatment for primary hyperhidrosis. Compensatory hyperhidrosis following surgery and partial response to surgery in some patients can significantly affect surgery outcome and patient satisfaction. In this study we investigated predictors of success rate, side effects, and satisfaction of our patients following ETS over a 10-year period.

METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed result of 200 Endoscopic thoracic sympathotomy surgeries that was performed in a single center to treat craniofacial, palmar, or axillary primary hyperhidrosis over a 10-year period. Patients were asked to report success of surgery to resolve their primary hyperhidrosis, development of compensatory hyperhidrosis, its severity, and their overall satisfaction with surgery.

RESULTS: Palmar hyperhidrosis was resolved in 167 (94%) patients. Craniofacial hyperhidrosis was resolved in 66 (84%) patients. Axillary hyperhidrosis was resolved in 68 (50%) patients. Compensatory hyperhidrosis developed in 176 (88%) patients. 44 (22%) patients had mild CHH, 79 (40%) patients developed moderate CHH, and 52 (26%) patients experienced severe CHH. A total of 173 (87%) patients were satisfied with surgery. 19 (9%) patients were not satisfied with ETS and 8 (4%) patients regretted ETS. Lower body mass index and grade IV primary hyperhidrosis were found to be independent predictors of patient satisfaction. Pure axillary primary hyperhidrosis was a negative predictor of patient satisfaction.

CONCLUSION: Best results of ETS are achieved in patients with grade IV PHH and lower body mass indexes. Outcome of ETS for treating axillary PHH is not favorable.

PMID:34426874 | DOI:10.1007/s00464-021-08684-8

Treatment of Axillary hyperhidrosis

J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021 Aug 20. doi: 10.1111/jocd.14378. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Axillary hyperhidrosis characterized by excessive sweating in the axillary regions is a frustrating chronic autonomic disorder leading to social embarrassment, impaired quality of life and usually associated with palmoplantar hyperhidrosis. Identifying the condition and its cause is central to the management.

AIM: The aim of this article is to discuss treatment options for axillary hyperhidrosis.

METHODS: Comprehensive literature search using PubMed and Google Scholar was performed to review relevant published articles related to diagnosis and treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis.

RESULTS: Treatment modalities for axillary hyperhydrosis vary from topical and systemic agents to injectables, newer devices and surgical measures. None except for physical measures using devices or surgery, which destroys the sweat glands to remove them, is possibly permanent and most are associated with attendant side effects.

CONCLUSION: Several treatments including medical and surgical option are available for the treatment of axillary hyperhydrosis. Patient education is important component of its management. Individualized approach of management is necessary for optimal outcome of treatment.

PMID:34416078 | DOI:10.1111/jocd.14378