Percutaneous radiofrequency sympatholysis in the treatment of primary palmar hyperhidrosis: A retrospective case-controlled study of rib-based anatomical targeting

J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2022 Sep 28:S1051-0443(22)01216-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jvir.2022.09.020. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy, adverse reactions, quality of life and patient satisfaction of percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) thoracic sympatholysis at different rib-based anatomical targets for primary palmar hyperhidrosis (PPHH).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with PPHH were divided according to the target, namely, the upper edge (group U) and the lateral border (group L) of the fourth rib; there were 30 patients (mean age 24.9 years; 31, 51.7% female) and 60 cases in each group. The Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) were assessed.

RESULTS: From before RF to 12 months after RF, the proportion of patients with HDSS grades III and IV (100% to 26.7%) and the DLQI (19.78±5.08 to 4.98±4.18) decreased significantly (P <.001). At 3, 6 and 12 months after RF, the HDSS grades were better in group L than in group U (P = .005, .002 and .004). At 6 and 12 months after RF, the DLQI in group L was lower than that in group U (P= .012 and .016), and at 1, 6 and 12 months after RF, patient satisfaction was higher than that in group U (P= .025, .014 and .009). Adverse events were mild; 8 patients (13.3%) demonstrated compensatory hyperhidrosis at 12-months after RF, and there was no difference between the two groups (P=.448); neuralgia and pneumothorax also did not differ (P= .522, and .643).

CONCLUSION: RF sympatholysis targeting the lateral border of the fourth rib had higher efficacy, better quality of life, and higher patient satisfaction.

PMID:36182001 | DOI:10.1016/j.jvir.2022.09.020

Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Absence of Hyperhidrosis but Presence of a Proinflammatory Signature in Patients’ Sweat

Acta Derm Venereol. 2022 Sep 28. doi: 10.2340/actadv.v102.2731. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The role of sweat glands in hidradenitis suppurativa has been largely neglected, despite the fact that its original designation, as “hidrosadénite phlegmoneuse”, implied an inflammatory malfunction of the apocrine sweat glands as the underlying pathogenic driver. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of apocrine sweat glands with respect to the proinflammatory environment of hidradenitis suppurativa. Therefore, gravimetric assessment and multiplex cytokine assays from sweat obtained from patients with hidradenitis suppurativa along with immunofluorescence cytokine/chemokine analysis of lesional apocrine glands-bearing hidradenitis suppurativa skin were performed. Gravimetric assessment of 17 patients with hidradenitis suppurativa revealed that the condition is not associated with hyperhidrosis. However, patients seem to be more affected by subjective sweating. The current data identified a complex proinflammatory signature in hidradenitis suppurativa sweat characterized by a significant upregulation of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, interleukin-8 (CXCL8), and interferon-γ. In agreement with this, a strong in situ expression of these mediators could be observed in apocrine glands of lesional hidradenitis suppurativa skin. These data shed new light on the proinflammatory capacity of apocrine sweat glands in hidradenitis suppurativa, which may lead to reconsideration of the role of sweat glands in hidradenitis suppurativa pathology.

PMID:36172698 | DOI:10.2340/actadv.v102.2731

A Pilot Study of the Safety and Effectiveness of a Novel Device in Subjects With Axillary Hyperhidrosis

Dermatol Surg. 2022 Sep 20. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000003598. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: One-third of U.S. adults are bothered by excessive sweating and 5% suffer from hyperhidrosis, both of which negatively affect quality-of-life (QoL). A single-use disposable patch using the novel targeted alkali thermolysis (TAT) technology is being developed to address this condition.

OBJECTIVE: Assess the efficacy and safety of the TAT patch for the treatment of excessive sweating using a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study design.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adults with Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) scores of 3 or 4 (n = 16) were treated with an active or sham patch for up to 3 minutes (as established in a previous unpublished feasibility study) and evaluated weekly for 6 weeks post-treatment. The primary effectiveness measure was improved HDSS at Week-4.

RESULTS: The study met its objective. For the primary efficacy measure, 83% of TAT-treated subjects reported HDSS scores of 1 or 2 at Week-4 versus 0% of sham-treated subjects (p = .0032). Furthermore, 67% of TAT-treated subjects had a 2-point improvement in HDSS scores versus 0% of sham-treated subjects (p = .0123). Quality-of-life improvement correlated with HDSS. The TAT patch seemed to be well-tolerated; one transient moderate adverse event that resolved without sequelae was reported.

CONCLUSION: The TAT patch successfully demonstrated efficacy and was well-tolerated.

PMID:36129240 | DOI:10.1097/DSS.0000000000003598

Long-term Outcomes of Endoscopic Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy for Primary Focal Palmar Hyperhidrosis: High Patient Satisfaction Rates Despite Significant Compensatory Hyperhidrosis

Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech. 2022 Sep 5. doi: 10.1097/SLE.0000000000001100. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic thoracoscopic sympathectomy (ETS) is the gold standard therapy for primary focal palmar hyperhidrosis (PFPH), resulting in high patient satisfaction rates. The most common side effect of ETS is compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH). Previous studies followed patients’ satisfaction degree of surgery and the incidence of CH during a limited follow-up period of 1 to 3 years. The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term outcomes and patient satisfaction after ETS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: After approval of our institutional review board, we conducted a retrospective review of all consecutive patients who underwent ETS for PFPH at our institution between 1998 and 2019. Electronic medical records were reviewed for short-term outcomes. Long-term outcomes were collected through telephone questionnaires. Primary outcome was the resolution of PFPH. Secondary outcomes were CH and long-term patient satisfaction.

RESULTS: During the study period, 256 patients underwent ETS to treat primary focal palmar hyperhidrosis at our institution between the years 1998-2019. One-hundred and fifty (58.6%) patients agreed to participate in the study and were included in the final analysis. The mean age was 23.8 (17 to 58) years, 56% were females. The mean follow-up time was 11±6.1 (1 to 22) years. Ninety-four percent reported resolution of PFPH; however, CH was reported by 90% of participants. CH decreased mean patient satisfaction score from 4.8±0.5 to 3.8±2 (P=0.009). This effect was more pronounced in patients with CH of the head and neck (P=0.009). Patients’ satisfaction decreased over time from a mean of 4.8±0.4 in the first year after surgery to a mean of 3.7±1.4 12 years or more after surgery (P <0.001). Despite this, 79% of patients reported they would recommend ETS to other patients.

CONCLUSIONS: ETS for PFPH is highly effective and results in high patient satisfaction rates even after long-term follow-up. Despite high rates of postoperative CH, nearly 80% of patients would still recommend the procedure to fellow patients, justifying its reputation as the gold standard treatment for PFPH.

PMID:36130719 | DOI:10.1097/SLE.0000000000001100

Relationship between hyperhidrosis and hypothalamic injury in patients with mild traumatic brain injury

Medicine (Baltimore). 2022 Sep 16;101(37):e30574. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000030574.

ABSTRACT

Hyperhidrosis is clinical symptom of various diseases and is an important clinical feature of paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH). Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is known to be most common condition associated with PSH, and PSH has been mainly reported in moderate and severe TBI. However, very little has been reported on PSH or hyperhidrosis in mild TBI patients. In this study, we used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to investigate the relationship between hyperhidrosis and hypothalamic injury in patients with mild TBI. Seven patients with hyperhidrosis after mild TBI and 21 healthy control subjects were recruited for this study. The Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale was used for evaluation of sweating at the time of DTI scanning. The fractional anisotropy and apparent diffusion coefficient DTI parameters were measured in the hypothalamus. In the patient group, the fractional anisotropy values for both sides of the hypothalamus were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < .05). By contrast, the apparent diffusion coefficient values for both sides of the hypothalamus were significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group (P < .05). In conclusion, we detected hypothalamic injuries in patients who showed hyperhidrosis after mild TBI. Based on the results, it appears that hyperhidrosis in patients with mild TBI is related to hypothalamic injury.

PMID:36123888 | DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000030574

Population-based analysis of the epidemiology of the surgical correction of hyperhidrosis in 1,216 patients over 11 years: a cross-sectional study

Sao Paulo Med J. 2022 Sep 12:S1516-31802022005023204. doi: 10.1590/1516-3180.2021.0773.R2.14022022. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy is the definitive surgical treatment for hyperhidrosis and a nationwide study has suggested that cultural and socioeconomic factors play a role in the numbers of operations performed. Thus, there is a need to evaluate local data in order to understand the local epidemiology and trends in hyperhidrosis treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To study the epidemiology of sympathectomy for treating hyperhidrosis in São Paulo, the largest city in Brazil.

DESIGN AND SETTING: Population-based retrospective cross-sectional study.

METHODS: Data on sympathectomies for treating hyperhidrosis between 2008 and 2018 were assessed from the database of the Municipal Health Department of São Paulo, Brazil.

RESULTS: 65.29% of the patients were female, 66.2% were aged between 20 and 39 years and 37.59% had registered with addresses outside São Paulo. 1,216 procedures were performed in the city of São Paulo from 2008 to 2018, and 78.45% of them were in only two public hospitals. The number of procedures significantly declined over the years (P = 0.001). 71.63% of the procedures were associated with 2-3 days of hospital stay, only 78 intensive care unit days were billed and we did not observe any intra-hospital death.

CONCLUSION: The profile of patients operated on in São Paulo (young women) is similar to that described in other populations. Sympathectomy is a very safe procedure, with no mortality in our series. There was a decreasing trend in the number of surgeries over the years.

PMID:36102451 | DOI:10.1590/1516-3180.2021.0773.R2.14022022

Adhesive Tape to Guide Injection Depth of Botulinum Toxin for Axillary Hyperhidrosis

Cutis. 2022 Jun;109(6):334-335. doi: 10.12788/cutis.0530.

ABSTRACT

OnabotulinumtoxinA for treating axillary hyperhidrosis requires a 2- to 3-mm depth of injection. This small depth is difficult to accurately estimate once the needle tip is in the skin. We have found that measuring 2 to 3 mm on the needle tip and then wrapping a piece of adhesive tape at that point acts as a depth guide.

PMID:35960963 | DOI:10.12788/cutis.0530