Effect of botulinum toxin in stellate ganglion for craniofacial hyperhidrosis: a case report

J Int Med Res. 2021 Mar;49(3):3000605211004213. doi: 10.1177/03000605211004213.

ABSTRACT

Craniofacial hyperhidrosis causes sweating of the face and scalp due to excessive action of the sweat glands and manifests when patients become tense/nervous or develop an elevated body temperature. If noninvasive treatments are ineffective, invasive treatments such as a sympathetic block and resection are considered. A 32-year-old woman with no specific medical history was referred for uncontrolled craniofacial hyperhidrosis that included excessive sweating and hot flushing. Physical examination showed profuse sweating, and infrared thermography showed higher temperature in the neck and face than in the trunk. The patient underwent several stellate ganglion blocks, and her symptoms improved; however, the treatment effect was temporary. Botulinum toxin was then injected into the stellate ganglion. At the time of this writing, her sweating had been reduced for about 6 months and she was continuing to undergo follow-up. Craniofacial hyperhidrosis is a clinical condition in which patients experience excessive sweating of their faces and heads. It is less common than palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis. Botulinum toxin injection into the stellate ganglion is simple and safe and produces longer-lasting effects than other treatments, such as endoscopic sympathectomy and a single nerve block.

PMID:33788638 | DOI:10.1177/03000605211004213

Bilateral one-stage single-port sympathicotomy in primary focal hyperhidrosis, a prospective cohort study: treat earlier?

J Cardiothorac Surg. 2021 Mar 25;16(1):50. doi: 10.1186/s13019-021-01430-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Primary Focal Hyperhidrosis (PFH) has a detrimental effect on Quality of Life. Repetitive, non-curative symptomatic strategies dominate current treatment of PFH, in spite of the availability of an effective and permanent curative treatment like Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy (ETS). Current surgical optimization may allow for a re-established position of sympathetic modulation in this treatment algorithm. We sought to evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and long-term results of a Bilateral One-stage Single-port Sympathicotomy (BOSS) procedure in PFH patients and to identify subgroups benefitting most.

METHODS: Prospective analysis of 163 patients, 35 (21.5%) underwent Rib-3 (R3) BOSS for palmar PFH, 58 (35.6%) R3-R5 BOSS for axillary PFH and 70 (42.9%) R3-R5 BOSS for combined palmar/axillary PFH. Effectiveness was measured using Skindex-29 and the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS).

RESULTS: Overall Skindex-29-rating (46.5 ± 14.8 preoperatively vs 20.1 ± 20.6 postoperatively, p < 0.001), and HDSS score (3.71 ± 0.45 preoperatively vs 1.82 ± 0.86 postoperatively, p < 0.001) indicated a significant improvement in health-related quality of life after BOSS. R3 BOSS was superior to R3-R5 BOSS in terms of HDSS score (1.49 vs 1.91 respectively, p = 0.004) and in terms of severe compensatory hyperhidrosis, a frequently reported side-effect (17.1% vs 32.8% respectively, p < 0.001). No major complications occurred.

CONCLUSIONS: BOSS is safe, effective, and offers a long-term curative solution in the treatment of PFH. Especially in the palmar PFH subgroup, R3 BOSS treatment results compare favorably to the treatment results of non-curative alternatives published in the current literature. Therefore, R3 BOSS should be offered to all patients with severe PFH, reporting insufficient benefit of treatment options such as oral and/or local agents.

PMID:33766091 | DOI:10.1186/s13019-021-01430-0

Effects of lower thoracic sympathicotomy on plantar hyperhidrosis

J Thorac Dis. 2021 Feb;13(2):664-670. doi: 10.21037/jtd-20-2437.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether performing lower thoracic sympathicotomy (LTS) from T10 to T12 affects plantar hyperhidrosis in patients with palmo-plantar (PP) or palmo-axillary-plantar (PAP) hyperhidrosis.

METHODS: Between January 2015 and January 2020, all consecutive patients with primary hyperhidrosis who underwent bilateral thoracoscopic sympathicotomy and met the inclusion criteria were included. Sympathicotomy was performed using one of the following two methods: the conventional upper thoracic vs. expanded thoracic sympathicotomy. In the expanded thoracic sympathicotomy, we expanded the level of sympathicotomy ranging from R5 to R12 in addition to the conventional upper thoracic sympathicotomy (R3 or R4). In cases of the expanded thoracic sympathicotomy, we defined the LTS as a sympathicotomy of the levels ranging from R10 to R12, which are related to plantar hyperhidrosis.

RESULTS: A total of 103 subjects with PP (71 cases) or PAP (32 cases) hyperhidrosis were included. Palmar or axillary hyperhidrosis in all patients were alleviated after sympathicotomy. There was no difference in sweating decrease or CH according to the hyperhidrosis types or sympathicotomy techniques. In addition, no-LTS was performed in 77 cases and LTS was performed in 26 cases. In the no-LTS group, there were 65 and 12 cases of low and high degrees of CH, respectively. In the LTS group, there were 22 and four cases of low and high degrees of CH, respectively. There was no significant difference in CH between the no-LTS and LTS groups (P=0.981). Improvement in plantar hyperhidrosis in the no-LTS group was observed in 29 of 77 cases, while improvement in plantar hyperhidrosis in the LTS group was observed in 16 of 26 cases. The addition of LTS lead to significant improvement in plantar hyperhidrosis (P=0.034).

CONCLUSIONS: Performing LTS is a safe and feasible procedure that improved plantar sweating more so than it did in cases that did not undergo LTS. Therefore, we cautiously suggest that adding LTS helps in the treatment of plantar hyperhidrosis combined with palmar hyperhidrosis. Further studies on LTS are needed to validate these findings and will be helpful in establishing management guidelines.

PMID:33717539 | PMC:PMC7947522 | DOI:10.21037/jtd-20-2437

Long-Term Efficacy of T3 Versus T3+T4 Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy for Concurrent Palmar and Plantar Hyperhidrosis

J Surg Res. 2021 Mar 7;263:224-229. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2020.11.064. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: More than 50% of patients with palmar hyperhidrosis (PAH) also have plantar hyperhidrosis (PLH). We compared the long-term results of T3 sympathectomy with those of combined T3+T4 sympathectomy among patients with concurrent PAH and PLH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the records of patients with concurrent PAH and PLH who underwent T3 alone or T3+T4 sympathectomy from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2017. Preoperative and postoperative sweating (hyperhidrosis index) was evaluated through questionnaires, physical examination, and outpatient follow-up. The relief rates and hyperhidrosis index were used as outcome measures to compare the efficacy of the two approaches. Patients’ satisfaction and side effects were also evaluated.

RESULTS: Of the 220 eligible patients, 60 underwent T3 sympathectomy (T3 group), and 160 underwent T3+T4 sympathectomy (T3+T4 group). Compared with the T3 group, the T3+T4 group showed higher symptom relief rates both for PAH (98.75% versus 93.33%, P = 0.048) and PLH (65.63% versus 46.67%, P = 0.01), and a greater postoperative decrease in both hyperhidrosis indices. The rate of severe compensatory hyperhidrosis also increased (10% versus 5%, P = 0.197), although the rates of overall satisfaction were comparable between the groups. The incidence of postoperative pneumothorax requiring chest tube placement and postoperative neuralgia was also similar. There were no cases of perioperative death, secondary operation, wound infection, or Horner syndrome in either group.

CONCLUSIONS: Compared with T3 alone, T3+T4 sympathectomy achieved a higher symptom relief rate and a lower hyperhidrosis index. T3+T4 sympathectomy may be a choice for the treatment of concurrent PAH and PLH; however, patients need to be informed that this kind of surgery may increase the risk of compensatory sweating.

PMID:33691245 | DOI:10.1016/j.jss.2020.11.064

Plantar hyperhidrosis associated with primary palmar hyperhidrosis: Outcome following video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy

Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann. 2021 Feb 20:218492321996508. doi: 10.1177/0218492321996508. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Primary palmar hyperhidrosis is an abnormal over-sweating of palms. It is usually associated with plantar hyperhidrosis. Video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy is the treatment of choice for palmar hyperhidrosis; however, it may affect plantar hyperhidrosis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of thoracoscopic sympathectomy on plantar hyperhidrosis.

METHODS: This prospective study included patients who presented to the Cardiothoracic Surgery Department with primary palmo-planter hyperhidrosis and received thoracoscopic sympathectomy between January 2014 and December 2018. Preoperatively, patients scored subjectively the degree of palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis on Visual Analogue Scale. Following surgery, scoring was performed at three intervals: 7, 30, and 180 days. Presence of compensatory sweating and its scoring was obtained at the same intervals. Complications and patient satisfaction were recorded.

RESULTS: A total of 518 patients were included. Complication rate, excluding compensatory hyperhidrosis, was 2.7%. Preoperative Visual Analogue Scale score for palmar hyperhidrosis was 9.9 ± 3.8 that following thoracoscopic sympathectomy decreased to 0.041 ± 0.2 on the seventh postoperative day. Further decrease to 0.3 ± 0.16 was noted on the 30th day and 180th day postoperatively. Preoperative Visual Analogue Scale score for plantar hyperhidrosis was 9.54 ± 0.66 that following sympathectomy decreased to 2.27 ± 1.67 on the seventh postoperative day. However, slight insignificant increase was noted to become 2.73 ± 1.65 on the 30th day and 6th month postoperatively. Compensatory hyperhidrosis was recorded in 3.9% of patients at 6th month postoperatively.

CONCLUSION: Palmar hyperhidrosis is usually associated with plantar hyperhidrosis. Thoracoscopic sympathectomy is an effective and safe treatment for palmar hyperhidrosis. It may completely or partially cure plantar hyperhidrosis.

PMID:33611949 | DOI:10.1177/0218492321996508

Rib-oriented Thoracoscopic Sympathetic Surgery for Hyperhidrosis: Prospective Long-term Results and Quality of Life.

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Rib-oriented Thoracoscopic Sympathetic Surgery for Hyperhidrosis: Prospective Long-term Results and Quality of Life.

Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech. 2021 Feb 16;:

Authors: Nachira D, Meacci E, Congedo MT, Petracca-Ciavarella L, Zanfrini E, Iaffaldano A, Vita ML, Chiappetta M, Griffo R, Lococo F, Margaritora S

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The optimal thoracoscopic sympathetic surgery for primary palmar and/or axillary hyperhidrosis (PPAH) is still unclear because of lack of uniform technique and qualitative/quantitative scales for definition of results. The aims of this study were to compare long-term outcomes based on the surgical technique and the level of sympathetic trunk interruption by clipping and to assess postoperative compensatory sweating (CS), patients’ satisfaction, and quality of life (QoL).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 2009 and April 2016, 94 patients who underwent 2-stage bilateral thoracoscopic rib-oriented (R) sympathetic clipping were prospectively followed up through the administration of standardized preoperative and postoperative questionnaires.Thirty-four (36.2%) patients underwent single-port transaxillary access instead of the standard two 5-mm incisions. The level of sympathetic clipping for PPAH was R3+4(top and bottom); in patients who complained associated facial or plantar hyperhidrosis R2-bottom and R5-top were clipped, respectively. Seventy-five patients completed bilateral surgery.
RESULTS: There were no significant differences between single-port and biportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in terms of operative times and postoperative results. At a mean follow-up of 72 (SD: 26) months, CS was reported in 42 (56%) patients, severe only in 6 (8%). It was higher in the case of R2-bottom clipping (P=0.03). Thirty-one of 60 (51.6%) patients who had a plantar hyperhidrosis declared an improvement of feet sweating after surgery. Postoperative satisfaction was excellent (86.11% on a 0 to 100 scale) and 95.4% of patients declared an improvement in QoL, which was statistically significant in all evaluated parameters. These results were not related to the level of clipping.
CONCLUSION: Thoracoscopic R3 to R4 clipping appears to be a safe and effective treatment for PPAH. Although postoperative CS was common and higher after R2-bottom clipping, this did not seem to affect patients’ satisfaction and improvement in QoL.

PMID: 33605681 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

Tolvaptan-induced remission of primary palmar hyperhidrosis in a patient with ADPKD: a serendipitous finding.

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Tolvaptan-induced remission of primary palmar hyperhidrosis in a patient with ADPKD: a serendipitous finding.

J Nephrol. 2021 Feb 08;:

Authors: Cuka E, Vespa M, Joli G, Manunta P, Sciarrone Alibrandi TM

Abstract
A 37-year old man had suffered palmar hyperhidrosis since he was fifteen years old. In the last year, he has been treated with tolvaptan for autosomic polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). The start of tolvaptan therapy was associated with a complete resolution of palmar hyperhidrosis and a sensation of relaxation. During the year on which the patient took tolvaptan, he had to suspend the drug twice. The suspension of tolvaptan was associated with the reappearance of palmar hyperhidrosis followed by sudden remission after the drug reintroduction. Palmar sweating also known as ’emotional sweating’ is not related to thermoregulation but allows an adequate adjustment of the frictional force to perform fine hand movements. Palmar hyperhidrosis is a chronic neurologic disorder characterized by excessive sweating of eccrine glands due to overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system. Palmar sweating and emotional processing are controlled by the limbic system. In this case report reduction of palmar sweating was associated with a sense of well-being. Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) are the two main hypothalamic hormones that interact with both the limbic system and the peripheral sympathetic nervous system. Tolvaptan is an arginine vasopressin (AVP) antagonist. AVP has effects on the sympathetic nervous system through both central and peripheral actions. Centrally AVP is a well-known ACTH secretagogue. Remission of palmar hyperhidrosis is probably mediated by tolvaptan acting on central ACTH secretion.

PMID: 33555573 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

Transareolar single-port endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy with a flexible endoscope for primary palmar hyperhidrosis: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

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Transareolar single-port endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy with a flexible endoscope for primary palmar hyperhidrosis: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

Ann Transl Med. 2020 Dec;8(24):1659

Authors: Lin JB, Kang MQ, Chen JF, Du Q, Li X, Lai FC, Tu YR

Abstract
Background: Transareolar single-port endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) with a flexible endoscope has rarely been reported. This study assessed the performance of this novel minimally invasive technique for primary palmar hyperhidrosis (PPH).
Methods: From January 2019 to September 2019, 118 males with severe PPH requiring single-port and bilateral ETS were randomly allocated to undergo transareolar ETS using a flexible endoscope (group A, n=58) or transaxillary ETS using a 5 mm thoracoscope (group B, n=60).
Results: Both groups had similar patient characteristics. All procedures were performed successfully, with no mortality or conversion to open surgery. All patients had dry and warm palms immediately after surgery. Compared with group B, group A had a significantly shorter median incision length [5.1 (5.0-5.2) vs. 10.9 (10.8-11.9) mm; P<0.001], and significantly lower median postoperative pain score [1 (1.0-2.0) vs. 3 (3.0-4.0); P<0.001]. There were no differences between the two groups in operative time, palmar temperature increase, and transient postoperative sweating. After complete follow-up, group A had a significantly higher median cosmetic score than group B [4.0 (3.0-4.0) vs. 3.0 (3.0-3.0); P<0.001]. There were no differences between the two groups regarding symptom resolution, compensatory hyperhidrosis, and satisfaction score. No patient reported residual pain or symptom recurrence.
Conclusions: Transareolar single-port ETS with a flexible endoscope is safe, effective, and minimally invasive with a small incision, minimal pain, and excellent cosmetic results. This novel procedure is suitable for routine treatment of PPH in males.

PMID: 33490171 [PubMed]

CT-assisted thoracic sympathicolysis for therapy of primary hyperhidrosis palmaris-retrospective analysis of the influence of the amount and position of the sympathetic agent on the therapeutic outcome and side effects.

Icon for Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart, New York Related Articles

CT-assisted thoracic sympathicolysis for therapy of primary hyperhidrosis palmaris-retrospective analysis of the influence of the amount and position of the sympathetic agent on the therapeutic outcome and side effects.

Rofo. 2020 Dec 21;:

Authors: Andresen JR, Scheer F, Schlöricke E, Andresen R

Abstract
PURPOSE:  The objective of the present study was to evaluate the benefit of a thoracic, computed tomography-guided sympathicolysis (CTSy) in patients with primary, focal hyperhidrosis of the hands. In addition, the influence of the amount and distribution of the administered sympathicolytic agent was to be assessed.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:  Retrospectively, 78 patients [13 (16.7 %) men, mean age 31.2 ± 9 years and 65 (83.3 %) women, mean age 34.2 ± 12 years], who had been treated using CTSy, were included in the study. The indication for treatment was primary focal palmar hyperhidrosis grade II and grade III after exhaustion of all conservative treatment options and a continued high level of suffering. CTSy was performed after establishing the entry plane at the level of the intervertebral space T2 / T3 via a dorsolateral approach using a 22-G coaxial needle. On average 5 (2-10) ml of a sympathicolytic mixture (10 ml consisting of 8 ml 96 % alcohol, 1.6 ml 0.5 % Carbostesin and 0.4 ml 0.9 % NaCl solution, with added amounts of contrast medium) were instilled. The volume of distribution of the sympathicolytic agent was determined in craniocaudal direction using CT images. The patients evaluated their sense of discomfort preinterventionally, 2 days postinterventionally, and 6 and 12 months after the intervention, on the basis of a Dermatology life Quality Index (DLQI) as well as the side effects that occurred.
RESULTS:  The technical success rate of CTSy was 100 %. No major complications occurred. The interventions performed led to a significant reduction (p < 0.001) in the preinterventional sense of discomfort 2 days, 6 and 12 months after CTSy. As the most common side effect, compensatory sweating was reported by 16/78 (20.5 %) of the patients over the further course. In all of these patients, the volume of sympathicolytic agent administered was below 5 ml. In no case did the sympathicolytic agent extend caudally beyond the base plate of Th 3. No compensatory sweating of the back was observed in 5/78 (6.4 %) patients; here the sympathicolytic volume was above 5 ml and extended significantly caudally below the baseplate of T3.Transient miosis and ptosis was found in 8/78 (10.3 %) patients. In all of these patients, the volume of sympathicolytic agent administered was above 5 ml and it extended markedly cranially beyond the upper plate of T2. A mild to moderate recurrent sweating developed in 35/78 (44.9 %) patients, which was more marked if the volume of sympathicolytic administered was below 5 ml and slightly more pronounced on the left than on the right. Given a high level of satisfaction overall, 71/78 (91.0 %) patients said that they would undergo the intervention again.
CONCLUSION:  For patients with primary, focal palmar hyperhidrosis CTSy represents a therapeutic option that offers good benefit and has few side effects. The amount and spatial distribution of the sympathicolytic agent has an influence on the therapeutic outcome and the side effects.
KEY POINTS: · CT-assisted thoracic sympathicolysis is a minimally invasive, low-complication therapy for treatment of severe forms of primary hyperhidrosis palmaris.. · CT-assisted thoracic sympathicolysis can usually be performed on an outpatient basis.. · The quantity and local distribution of the sympathicolytic agent has an influence on the therapeutic outcome and the side effects..
CITATION FORMAT: · Andresen J, Scheer F, Schlöricke E et al. CT-assisted thoracic sympathicolysis for therapy of primary hyperhidrosis palmaris-retrospective analysis of the influence of the amount and position of the sympathetic agent on the therapeutic outcome and side effects. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2020; DOI: 10.1055/a-1299-2098.

PMID: 33348382 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

Fractional CO2 Laser for Transcutaneous Drug Delivery of Onabotulinum Toxin in Palmar Hyperhidrosis.

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Fractional CO2 Laser for Transcutaneous Drug Delivery of Onabotulinum Toxin in Palmar Hyperhidrosis.

Dermatol Surg. 2020 Dec 15;Publish Ahead of Print:

Authors: Agamia NF, Sobhy N, Abd-Elraouf A, Tawfik A

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Palmar hyperhidrosis is a common disorder of excessive sweating due to over-stimulation of cholinergic receptors on eccrine glands.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of laser-assisted drug delivery of onabotulinum toxin A (BoNTA) and intradermal BoNTA injections in the management of palmar hyperhidrosis.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: This intrapatient comparative study was conducted on 30 adult patients with idiopathic palmar hyperhidrosis. The palms of the patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 was treated with intradermal injections of 50 units of BoNTA, whereas Group 2 was subjected to laser-assisted transcutaneous BoNTA delivery using fractional CO2 laser at different doses (25, 50, and 75 units). Each treatment modality was evaluated using the iodine starch test, hyperhidrosis disease severity scale, and gravimetric scoring.
RESULTS: Delivery of 75 units of BoNTA to the dermis on the right-sided palms assisted by fractional CO2 laser was clinically equivalent to 50 units of injection on the left side. Pain intensity was significantly higher on the injected side than on the other side.
CONCLUSION: Laser-assisted drug delivery of botulinum toxin can be considered an effective and safe alternative for treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis with minimal side effects and complications.

PMID: 33337732 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]