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Botulinum toxin in the treatment of sweat-worsened foot problems in patients with epidermolysis bullosa simplex and pachyonychia congenita.

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Botulinum toxin in the treatment of sweat-worsened foot problems in patients with epidermolysis bullosa simplex and pachyonychia congenita.

Br J Dermatol. 2010 Nov;163(5):1072-6

Authors: Swartling C, Karlqvist M, Hymnelius K, Weis J, Vahlquist A

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Painful foot blistering is a common problem in patients with epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) and pachyonychia congenita (PC). Hyperhidrosis, a condition which can be effectively blocked by plantar injections of botulinum toxin (Btx), often exacerbates the blistering.
OBJECTIVES: A retrospective evaluation of the effects of Btx injections in 14 patients with EBS and PC with foot blisters and painful callosities.
METHODS: After informed consent, patients with EBS (n = 6) and PC (n = 8), aged 7-66 years, who had received Btx therapy at our centre since 2003, were included. The treatment consisted of multiple plantar injections of Btx A or Btx B after prior regional or general anaesthesia. Patients were interviewed about the treatment effect and were asked to score the improvement from 0 to 5, where 5 is ‘excellent’. One patient with PC with painful callosities was studied by magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopic microimaging before and after Btx injections to disclose any underlying blisters.
RESULTS: In total, 76 treatments were evaluated (one to 19 sessions per patient). Thirteen patients (93%) reported reduced plantar blistering and pain; the improvement score was ≥ 4 in four of six patients with EBS and six of eight patients with PC. The mean effect duration was 3 months. No adverse events, apart from mild anticholinergic side-effects in two patients, were noted. MR spectroscopic microimaging showed disappearance of intraepidermal blistering after Btx therapy.
CONCLUSIONS: Plantar injection of Btx is an efficient, long-lasting and safe treatment of painful blistering and callosities in EBS and PC that can be given repeatedly without loss of efficacy.

PMID: 20618323 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

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An epidemiological study of hyperhidrosis patients visiting the Ajou University Hospital hyperhidrosis center in Korea.

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An epidemiological study of hyperhidrosis patients visiting the Ajou University Hospital hyperhidrosis center in Korea.

J Korean Med Sci. 2010 May;25(5):772-5

Authors: Park EJ, Han KR, Choi H, Kim DW, Kim C

Abstract
Hyperhidrosis is a disorder of perspiration in excess of the body’s physiologic need and significantly impacts one’s occupational, physical, emotional, and social life. The purpose of our study was to investigate the characteristics of primary hyperhidrosis in 255 patients at Ajou University Hospital Hyperhidrosis Center from March 2006, to February 2008. Information collected from the medical records was: sex, sites of hyperhidrosis, age at visit, age of onset, aggravating factors, hyperhidrosis disease severity scale (HDSS) rank, family history, occupation, and past treatment. A total of 255 patient records were reviewed; 57.6% were male. Patients with a family history (34.1%) showed a lower age of onset (13.21+/-5.80 yr vs. 16.04+/-9.83 yr in those without family history); 16.5% had previous treatment, most commonly oriental medicine. Palmar and plantar sites were the most commonly affected, and 87.9% of patients felt their sweating was intolerable and always interfered with their daily activities. Our study provides some original information on the Korean primary hyperhidrosis population. Patients who have a family history show signs of disease in early age than those without family history.

PMID: 20436716 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

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Effects of botulinum toxin-a therapy for palmar hyperhidrosis in plantar sweat production.

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Effects of botulinum toxin-a therapy for palmar hyperhidrosis in plantar sweat production.

Dermatol Surg. 2010 Apr;36(4):496-8

Authors: Gregoriou S, Rigopoulos D, Makris M, Liakou A, Agiosofitou E, Stefanaki C, Kontochristopoulos G

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patients with focal hyperhidrosis in multiple areas often report improvement of plantar hyperhidrosis after botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) therapy for palmar hyperhidrosis.
OBJECTIVE: To assess sweat production from the soles in patients receiving BTX-A treatment for their palmar hyperhidrosis.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients with both palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis received 100 U of BTX-A per palm. Sweat production of palms and soles was assessed using a starch iodine test and gravimetry at baseline and 1, 3, and 8 months after treatment. Patients were subjectively assessed using a percentile scale.
RESULTS: All patients had significant improvement in their palmar hyperhidrosis that lasted for 6.2 +/- 1.8 months. Gravimetry revealed marginal improvement of plantar hyperhidrosis in 12 patients (from 39.7 +/- 21.3 to 31.5 +/- 18.0 mg/min; p=.01) and statistically significant worsening in 24 patients (from 71.6 +/- 70.60 to 109.94 +/- 82.93 mg/min, p<.001).
CONCLUSION: Treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis with BTX-A increased plantar sweating in many patients affected by both palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis in the population under study. Regardless, patients reported satisfaction with the results and were willing to repeat treatment.

PMID: 20180837 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

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Chemical lumbar sympathectomy in plantar hyperhidrosis.

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Chemical lumbar sympathectomy in plantar hyperhidrosis.

Clin Auton Res. 2010 Apr;20(2):113-5

Authors: Yoshida WB, Cataneo DC, Bomfim GA, Hasimoto E, Cataneo AJ

Abstract
Plantar hyperhidrosis can cause great changes to an individual’s quality of life. We described a case successfully treated by the minimally invasive method of percutaneous injection of 7.0% phenolic solution into the lumbar sympathetic chains.

PMID: 20012143 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

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Bilateral retroperitoneoscopic lumbar sympathectomy by unilateral access for plantar hyperhidrosis in women.

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Bilateral retroperitoneoscopic lumbar sympathectomy by unilateral access for plantar hyperhidrosis in women.

J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A. 2010 Feb;20(1):1-6

Authors: Coelho M, Kondo W, Stunitz LC, Branco Filho AJ, Branco AW

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Primary focal hyperhidrosis is a disorder of excessive, bilateral, and relatively symmetric sweating occurring in the axillae, palms, soles, or craniofacial region. Armpits are affected in 51% of patients, feet in 29%, palms in 25%, and the face in 20%. There is a wide range of nonsurgical and surgical treatments available for patients with focal hyperhidrosis. Surgical treatments for plantar hyperhidrosis include thoracic and/or lumbar sympathectomy. In this article, we report on a new technique of bilateral retroperitoneoscopic lumbar sympathectomy by unilateral access for plantar hyperidrosis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of female patients who presented with plantar hyperhidrosis at the time of surgery and received bilateral retroperitoneoscopic lumbar sympathectomy by a unilateral access technique at our hospital. All patients had already been submitted to a previous thoracic sympathectomy with no improvement of the plantar hyperhidrosis.
RESULTS: Five procedures were performed successfully from January through March 2009. Mean operative time and mean estimated blood loss were 59 minutes and 54 cc, respectively. We had no intraoperative complications, and patients were discharged home 12.8 hours after surgery. Immediate warming of the feet was observed at the end of all procedures. On follow-up consultations, all patients referred a complete resolution of the plantar hyperhidrosis and 1 case of compensative hyperhidrosis on the back.
CONCLUSIONS: Retroperitoneoscopic lumbar sympathectomy by unilateral access seems to be feasible when performed by a surgeon with experience on advanced laparoscopy. Larger series comparing unilateral to bilateral access are necessary to establish the real benefits and potential disadvantages of this new technique.

PMID: 19943777 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

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Endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy for plantar hyperhidrosis.

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Endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy for plantar hyperhidrosis.

Br J Surg. 2009 Dec;96(12):1422-8

Authors: Rieger R, Pedevilla S, Pöchlauer S

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy for plantar hyperhidrosis.
METHODS: A total of 178 endoscopic resections of the lower sympathetic lumbar trunk were carried out in 90 patients (59 men, 31 women) with severe plantar hyperhidrosis. The clinical results, including morbidity and satisfaction rates, were evaluated. Follow-up examination was carried out for all patients after a mean follow-up of 24 (range 3-45) months.
RESULTS: All procedures were carried out endoscopically. There were no deaths and only three patients had a postoperative complication. All patients had evidence of postoperative sympathetic denervation of the feet. In 87 patients (97 per cent) hyperhidrosis was eliminated, but in three (3 per cent) it recurred. Compensatory sweating occurred in 40 patients (44 per cent), postsympathectomy neuralgia in 38 (42 per cent) and one man suffered temporary loss of ejaculation. A total of 86 patients (96 per cent) were very, or partly, satisfied with the result, and 83 (92 per cent) would have the procedure repeated if required.
CONCLUSION: Endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy was a safe and effective option for patients with severe plantar hyperhidrosis.

PMID: 19918855 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

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Ethyl chloride spray for sensory relief for botulinum toxin injections of the hands and feet.

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Ethyl chloride spray for sensory relief for botulinum toxin injections of the hands and feet.

J Cutan Med Surg. 2009 Sep-Oct;13(5):253-6

Authors: Richards RN

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Botulinum toxin injections are effective in the treatment of palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis, but discomfort has limited its use.
OBJECTIVE: To study the use of ethyl chloride medium-stream spray in reducing injection discomfort.
METHODS: We used ethyl chloride medium-stream spray, in conjunction with precooling by frozen ice packs, in our No Sweat Clinic for our most recent 51 consecutive cases of botulinum toxin injection.
RESULTS: Ethyl chloride spray greatly facilitated the injection procedure, and all patients completed the injections without hesitation or delay.
CONCLUSION: Ethyl chloride medium-stream spray, in conjunction with precooling by frozen ice packs, is highly effective in reducing painful injection sensations. Its use is safe, economical, and easy to learn and does not require special equipment.

PMID: 19769833 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

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[Botulinum toxin in disabling dermatological diseases].

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[Botulinum toxin in disabling dermatological diseases].

Ann Dermatol Venereol. 2009 May;136 Suppl 4:S129-36

Authors: Messikh R, Atallah L, Aubin F, Humbert P

Abstract
Botulinum toxin could represent nowadays a new treatment modality especially for cutaneous conditions in course of which conventional treatments remain unsuccessful. Besides palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis, botulinum toxin has demonstrated efficacy in different conditions associated with hyperhidrosis, such as dyshidrosis, multiple eccrine hidrocystomas, hidradenitis suppurativa, Frey syndrome, but also in different conditions worsened by hyperhidrosis such as Hailey-Hailey disease, Darier disease, inversed psoriasis, aquagenic palmoplantar keratoderma, pachyonychia congenital. Moreover, different cutaneous conditions associated with sensitive disorders and/or neurological involvements could benefit from botulinum toxin, for example anal fissures, leg ulcers, lichen simplex, notalgia paresthetica, vestibulitis. Endly, a case of cutis laxa was described where the patient was improved by cutaneous injections of botulinum toxin.

PMID: 19576479 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]