Craniofacial hyperhidrosis treated with video endoscopic sympathectomy

Craniofacial hyperhidrosis as well as palmar hyperhidrosis is an abnormal state of local excessive sweating of unclear etiology. The hyperhidrosis may be isolated in the craniofacial region or associated with palmar hyperhidrosis. The patient's face is so wet with sweat that their daily activities are often seriously disturbed. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no satisfactory medical therapy, nor any effective surgical treatment reported in the literature. In 1991, we started to treat a patient with such distress using endoscopic ablation of the sympathetic T2 segment, because we mastered the technique after treating a large series of palmar hyperhidrosis patients. Furthermore, we were impressed by concomitant reduction of craniofacial sweating after T2-3 sympathectomy resulting from the relatively different domination of sympathetic supply between the eye and face. It appears possible to relieve excessive sweating of the head and face, without producing ptosis or miosis by ablation of the T2 segment. During the past 2 years, 7 patients with severe craniofacial hyperhidrosis have been successfully treated with the method and all obtained a satisfactory result. No complete Horner's syndrome has been produced except in one patient, who showed a mild and transient left eye ptosis, in whom coagulation of the sympathetic trunk higher than the T2 segment was performed. Intraoperative monitoring of forehead skin perfusion and observation of the change of pupillary size is emphasized during the lesion making. The longest postoperative follow-up was 2 years, with a mean follow-up of 12.4 months.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Sweat and tears: treating the patient with primary hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis is a distressing disorder characterised by excessive sweating. Whereas some cases are secondary to underlying conditions, primary hyperhidrosis is the more common form affecting around 3% of the population. Typically starting in childhood or adolescence, primary hyperhidrosis has a significant impact on an individual's quality of life and self-esteem, which is similar to that of more well recognised skin conditions, such as psoriasis, severe pruritus and acne. Treatment options for primary hyperhidrosis are varied, including topical treatments, Botulinum toxin A, systemic medication, iontophoresis and surgery; however, each method has drawbacks that are discussed in this article. Case examples within the article illustrate the potential of several of these treatments. Particular issues surrounding the treatment of children and adolescents with this condition are also discussed.     

Hyperhidrosis: evolving therapies for a well-established phenomenon

The socially embarrassing disorder of excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, and its treatment options are gaining widespread attention. In order of frequency, palmar-plantar, palmar-axillary, Isolated axillary, and cranlofacial hyperhidrosis are distinct disorders of sudomotor regulation. A common link among these disorders is an excessive, nonthermoregulatory sweat response often to emotional stimuli in body regions influenced by the anterior cingulate cortex as opposed to the thermoregulatory sweat response regulated by the preoptic-anterior hypothalamus. Diagnosis of these mechanistically ambiguous disorders is primarily from patient history and physical examination, whereas results of laboratory studies performed with indicator powder reveal the distribution and severity of resting hyperhidrosis and document the integrity of thermoregulatory sweating. Treatment options lie on a continuum based on the severity of hyperhidrosis and the risks and benefits of therapy. In general, therapy begins with antiperspirants or anticholinergics. Iontophoresis is available for palmar-plantar and axillary hyperhidrosis. Botulinum toxin type A or local excision/curettage is effective for isolated axillary hyperhidrosis not responsive to topical application of aluminum chloride. Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy may be used for severe cases of palmar-plantar and palmar-axillary hyperhidrosis. No sole therapy of choice has emerged for craniofacial sweating. The long-term sequelae of hyperhidrosis and its treatment also are discussed.     

Thoracoscopic sympathectomy for palmaris hyperhidrosis

INTRODUCTION: Palmaris hyperhidrosis is a disorder mediated by the sympathetic nervous system. It causes excessive sweating. This study evaluated the safety, efficacy, and outcome after thoracoscopic sympathectomy in patients with palmaris hyperhidrosis. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 18 patients (10 male) who underwent bilateral thoracoscopic sympathectomy between July 1998 and June 2001. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 34 years. No conversions to thoracotomy occurred. Three 2- to 5 mm trocars were used.The thoracic sympathetic chain was resected from ganglia T2-T4, except in one patient with axillary hyperhidrosis requiring resection to T5. The mean operating time was 112 minutes, the mean blood loss was 50 ml, and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 1.2 days. Two patients had a unilateral pneumothorax requiring tube thoracostomy; one patient developed a chest wall hematoma at a trocar site that resolved without treatment, and one patient developed a transient unilateral Horner's syndrome. There have been no hospital readmissions. After a mean follow-up period of 14 months, 11 patients (56%) reported compensatory sweating. Sixteen patients (89%) were satisfied with their outcomes. One patient was dissatisfied because of excessive compensatory sweating, and another continues to have mild unilateral sweating on one hand and compensatory sweating of the face. CONCLUSION: Thoracoscopic sympathectomy is a safe and effective alternative treatment for palmaris hyperhidrosis. Compensatory sweating occurs in more than 50% of patients but is tolerable in most. The majority of patients are satisfied with their short-term outcomes.     

Botulinum toxin in the treatment of focal hyperhidrosis

INTRODUCTION: Botulinum A toxin (BTX-A) acts primarily at peripheral cholinergic synapses, inhibiting the release of acetylcholine. Initially it has been used to block the neuromuscular junction in focal dystonic and spastic syndromes. Recently there has been suggestions for potential clinical indications in non-muscular diseases where cholinergic terminals play a role. GUSTATORY SWEATING: In 1995 physicians reported a long-lasting anhidrotic effect of intracutaneous BTX-A injections in patients suffering from gustatory sweating (Frey's syndrome). Consequently, a number of clinical studies demonstrated good efficacy of intradermal injections of botulinumtoxin in patients with focal hyperhidrosis. FOCAL HYPERHIDROSIS OF THE PALMS AND AXILLAE: Focal hyperhidrosis is usually confined to the palms and axillae. Excessive sweating may be a social handicap and an occupational hazard. The management of focal hyperhidrosis remains controversial. Topical antiperspirants are only effective in very mild cases. Iontophoresis with tap water or anticholinergic drugs is messy and time consuming with only short-lived effect. Sympathectomy, the cornerstone of surgical management, is usually effective in palmar hyperhidrosis. Complications of this technique include surgical risks, postoperative and cosmetic problems and compensatory hyperhidrosis. AXILLARY HYPERHIDROSIS: Several studies confirmed that intracutaneous injections of botulinum toxin are useful in the majority of patients with axillary hyperhidrosis resistant to conventional treatment. In axillary hyperhidrosis total doses are ranging from 200-400 mU Dysport or from 80 to 130 mU Botox to reach a good clinical response. Injections are usually well tolerated and no serious side-effects have been observed. The mean duration of anhidrotic effect ranges between 3 and 9 weeks. PALMAR HYPERHIDROSIS: The use of botulinumtoxin in patients with palmar hyperhidrosis is rather difficult. The therapeutic window is smaller because injections are complicated by transient weakness of the small hand-muscles. Furthermore the injections at the palms are painful which can be overcomed by application of local anaesthetics or the blockade of the ulnar and median nerves. The duration of anhidrotic effect ranges from 20 to 50 weeks. CONCLUSION: Intracutaneous injections of botulinum-toxin should be offered to patients with focal hyperhidrosis of the palms and axillae causing serious social, psychologic and occupational problems, resistant to other conventional treatment options.     

A型肉毒素在皮肤科疾病治疗中的进展

A型肉毒素是肉毒梭状芽孢杆菌在繁殖过程中分泌的A型毒性蛋白质,具有很强的神经毒性。其在皮肤美容方面的疗效显著而被熟知。除皮肤美容外,临床实践和前期研究均证实A型肉毒素在治疗皮肤病方面亦有明显疗效,且部分疾病经治疗预后明显优于传统治疗,如瘢痕与多汗症等。     

Sympathotomy instead of sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis: minimizing postoperative compensatory hyperhidrosis

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether anatomical modification of sympathectomy diminishes severe postoperative compensatory hyperhidrosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1, 2000, to June 1, 2001, we prospectively studied 10 consecutive patients with primary palmar hyperhidrosis, aged 14 to 42 years. Medical therapy had failed in all patients. A preoperative and postoperative evaluation and thermoregulatory sweat testing were conducted in all patients. All patients underwent sympathotomy (bilateral simple disconnection) of the second thoracic ganglion input into the brachial plexus, and no sympathetic ganglia were violated. RESULTS: In the 10 patients, all 20 upper extremities improved postoperatively: 11 (55%) had near-complete cessation of palmar sweating, 8 (40%) had marked reduction in sweating, and 1 (5%) had delayed onset but full sweating at the end of the thermoregulatory sweat test. No intraoperative complications of hemopneumothorax or Horner syndrome occurred. Importantly, there were no moderate or severe postoperative hyperhidrosis complications. CONCLUSION: Sympathotomy to disconnect T2 ganglion input into the brachial plexus produces excellent results in the treatment of primary palmar hyperhidrosis and may lower the severity of postoperative compensatory hyperhidrosis complications. Long-term durability of the procedure requires further follow-up.     

Craniofacial hyperhidrosis successfully treated with topical glycopyrrolate

Treatment of craniofacial hyperhidrosis currently consists of thoracic sympathectomy, which is not widely available. Oral anticholinergic agents and beta-blockers may be effective but also carry significant side effects. We describe a healthy, active 27-year-old male resident physician who had excessive facial sweating with minimal exertion or stress. The sweating was especially pronounced on the forehead, nose, and upper lip. Daily topical application of a 0.5% glycopyrrolate solution to the face and forehead was offered. After the first treatment, facial sweating was significantly reduced and was well controlled under stressful situations, without any discomfort to the skin. No loss of efficacy was seen after multiple face washings. Facial hyperhidrosis recurred after withdrawal of the glycopyrrolate for 2 days, confirming its therapeutic effect. Two years later, he continues to use glycopyrrolate as needed. We conclude that topical glycopyrrolate is effective in treating craniofacial hyperhidrosis and is associated with few adverse effects.     

Palmoplantar hyperhidrosis: a therapeutic challenge

Excessive sweating from the palms and soles, known as palmoplantar hyperhidrosis, affects both children and adults. Diagnosis of this potentially embarrassing and socially disabling condition is based on the patient's history and visible signs of sweating. The condition usually is idiopathic. Treatment remains a challenge: options include topical and systemic agents, iontophoresis, and botulinum toxin type A injections, with surgical sympathectomy as a last resort. None of the treatments is without limitations or associated complications. Topical aluminum chloride hexahydrate therapy and iontophoresis are simple, safe, and inexpensive therapies; however, continuous application is required because results are often short-lived, and they may be insufficient. Systemic agents such as anticholinergic drugs are tolerated poorly at the dosages required for efficacy and usually are not an option because of their associated toxicity. While botulinum toxin can be used in treatment-resistant cases, numerous painful injections are required, and effects are limited to a few months. Surgical sympathectomy should be reserved for the most severe cases and should be performed only after all other treatments have failed. Although the safety and reliability of treatments for palmoplantar hyperhidrosis have improved dramatically, side effects and compensatory sweating are still common, potentially severe problems.     

Quinine Amblyopia: Is Current Management Appropriate?

Abstract

Thirty-one patients blind from overdoses of quinine are reported. One died from cardiotoxicity. Of the survivors, thirteen received bilateral stellate ganglion block, seven unilateral block, five a variety of other treatments aimed at increasing retinal blood flow, and five no specific treatment. Nine patients recovered vision completely but twenty were left with varying degrees of visual field constriction and one was blind at last follow-up.

No treatment for oculotoxicty was of benefit. Since experimental and clinical observations show that the primary toxic effect of quinine is on photoreceptor cells, stellate ganglion block and other vasodilator treatments have no rational basis and should no longer be recommended.     

电针结合星状神经节阻滞治疗椎动脉型颈椎病

目的:观察电针结合合星状神经节阻滞治疗椎动脉型颈椎病患者的临床疗效。方法:120例椎动脉型颈椎病患者随机分为3组,电针组40例用电针刺激体穴结合C3-5夹脊穴治疗;阻滞组40例采用利多卡因注射液5ml及0.9%生理盐水5ml的混合液星状神经节阻滞治疗;综合组40例则结合2种方法综合治疗。治疗前后以临床症状评分量表评定疗效。结果:治疗2周后临床症状积分,综合组明显低于电针组和阻滞组(P<0.05),治愈率和总有效率高于电针组和阻滞组(P<0.05,0.01)。结论:电针配合星状神经节阻滞治疗椎动脉型颈椎病能明显改善患者临床症状,提高治疗效果。     

Thoracoscopic sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis

Palmar hyperhidrosis (i.e., excessive sweating of the palms) usually appears at puberty and causes psychological, social, educational, and occupational problems for people who suffer from it. Although many treatments have been used, the only treatment that permanently eradicates the condition is sympathectomy. The advent of thoracoscopic surgery has allowed surgeons to perform sympathectomy as an outpatient procedure that is safe and effective and produces life-changing results for patients.     

Impaired left ventricular filling in patients with essential hyperhidrosis: an echo-Doppler study

Essential hyperhidrosis is a well recognized dermatologic and neurologic disorder, characterized by excessive sweating of the eccrine sweat glands. It is also associated with cardiac autonomic dysfunction because sympathetic fibers to eccrine glands of palms of the hand arise from stellate and upper thoracic ganglia, which also innervate the heart. In this study, we investigated cardiac function in patients with essential hyperhidrosis by conventional and tissue Doppler imaging methods. Eighteen subjects with essential hyperhidrosis and eighteen control subjects were included in this study. Pulsed-wave Doppler parameters of the left and right ventricles, which represent diastolic filling abnormalities, were obtained by conventional Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging. Isovolumetric relaxation time, isovolumetric contraction time, ejection time and myocardial performance index were also calculated. Mitral inflow peak early (E(M)) and late (A(M)) velocities and E(M)/A(M) ratio, which represent diastolic filling of left ventricle, were significantly lower in hyperhidrotic subjects than in controls. Also, mitral lateral annulus early and late velocities and early/late velocity ratio, reflecting diastolic filling of left ventricle, were significantly lower in hyperhidrotic subjects than those of controls. However, there were no differences between hyperhidrotic subjects and control subjects with regard to the other echocardiographic indices of left and right ventricle diastolic functions. In conclusion, decreased mitral inflow suggests left ventricle diastolic dysfunction in patients with essential hyperhidrosis. This indicates that hyperactivity of sympathetic nervous system in patient with hyperhidrosis may alter cardiac function in long term.     

Treatment of multiple physiological and psychological disorders in one patient with stellate ganglion block: a case report

Patients with several concurrent illnesses often present with complex manifestations and therefore receive a variety of treatments. The purpose of this report was to describe a patient diagnosed with hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s encephalopathy, cerebral infarction, and ventricular arrhythmia. The patient also had multiple physiological and psychological disorders, including dizziness, frequent ventricular premature beats, hypotension, anxiety, and insomnia. Among other treatments, the patient received a stellate ganglion block and most symptoms were substantially alleviated. Therefore, stellate ganglion block appears to be a useful approach for treating perplexing clinical conditions in patients with autonomic dysfunction.     

星状神经节阻滞与颈横突局部注射疗法对颈源性头痛的疗效评价

目的:探讨星状神经节阻滞疗法和C2横突旁注射疗法对颈源性头痛的疗效.方法:颈源性头痛患者96例分别采用C2横突局部注射36例(A组)、星状神经节阻滞36例(B组)及单纯口服对乙酰氨基酚胶囊24例(C组).治疗前后采用McGill疼痛评分量表评定患者疼痛程度.结果:治疗3周后,A、B组疼痛评分差异无显著性意义,但均优于C组(P＜0.05).结论:C2横突旁局部注射与星状神经节阻滞疗法治疗作用相近,对颈源性头痛均有较好疗效.     

Management of postsurgical hyperhidrosis with direct current and tap water

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Excessive sweating, known as hyperhidrosis, involves the eccrine sweat glands of the axillae, soles, palms, and/or forehead. The use of iontophoresis to reduce or eliminate excessive sweating has been described since 1952. The purpose of this case report is to describe the use of tap water galvanism (TWG) using direct current (DC) with a patient who had postsurgical hyperhidrosis. CASE DESCRIPTION: The patient was a 36-year-old male electrician with traumatic phalangeal amputation and postsurgical development of hyperhidrosis. Tap water galvanism was administered using a DC generator, 2 to 3 times per week for 10 treatments. The patient's hands were individually submerged in 2 containers of tap water with the electrodes immersed directly into the containers. Each hand was treated with 30 minutes of TWG at 12 mA. Hyperhidrosis was measured by a 5-second imprint and subsequent tracing of the left hand placed on dry paper toweling. OUTCOMES: The patient's hyperhidrosis decreased from the full left palmar pad, with a surface area of 10.3x12.0 cm, to a reduced area of wetness that covered a 2.2-x2.7-cm area. The patient returned to work as an electrician without needing absorbent gloves, which had prevented him from performing electrical work. DISCUSSION: Following use of TWG, the patient's palmar hyperhidrosis returned to normhidrosis.     

不同水平星状神经节阻滞对同侧皮肤温度和瞳孔直径的影响

观察５３例星状神经节阻滞（ＳＧＢ）适应症患者，以ＳＧＢ前、后阻滞侧（同侧）上肢手掌大鱼际处温度及同侧瞳孔的变化为指标，地不同部位ＳＧＢ（Ｃ６ＳＧＢ，Ｃ７ＳＧＢ）的客观效果进行了对比观察研究。结果表明：Ｃ６ＳＧＢ对头面交感神经抑制度较Ｃ７ＳＧＢ大，Ｃ７ＳＧＢ对上肢的交感神经抑制度较Ｃ６ＳＧＢ大。提示：ＳＧＢ适应症患者，欲侧重头面部疾患的治疗，应选Ｃ６ＳＧＢ，而欲侧重上肢疾患的治疗，则应选Ｃ７－ＳＧＢ     

家兔全脑缺血再灌注期血清白细胞介素6水平与星状神经节阻滞的关系

背景星状神经节阻滞可改善脑循环,调节免疫,降低血浆儿茶酚胺浓度,白细胞介素6是机体急性应激反应中最敏感重要的标志和介导物之一,在脑缺血性损伤中扮演着神经保护和神经毒性的双重作用.目的观察星状神经节阻滞对家兔全脑缺血再灌注期间血清白细胞介素6含量的影响,探讨星状神经节阻滞对全脑缺血再灌注损伤的作用效应.设计随机对照的动物实验.单位郧阳医学院附属太和医院麻醉科、郧阳医学院附属人民医院麻醉科.材料实验于2003-03在郧阳医学院实验中心及附属太和医院神经科学研究所进行动物实验,白细胞介素6检测试剂盒及测定工作由中国人民解放军总医院放射免疫研究所提供和协助完成.选择健康日本大耳白免28只,雌雄不拘,随机分成星状神经节组、盐水对照组、空白对照组和假手术组,每组7只.方法用手术法在所有动物星状神经节旁置入一导管,用六血管阻断法制作全脑缺血再灌注模型,星状神经节阻滞组在缺血15 min后松开动脉夹再灌注开始,同时从导管持续泵入2.5 g/L的布比卡因行左侧星状神经节阻滞,生理盐水对照组和空白对照组分别在松开动脉夹时从导管泵入生理盐水代替布比卡因和不用药,假手术组仅完成相应的手术操作而不夹闭动脉.采用放射免疫法测定缺血前、再灌注10 min,4,10,20及30时血清白细胞介素6的水平.主要观察指标各组实验动物在再灌注后各时点白细胞介素6水平变化.结果纳入本次实验的28只大耳白兔全部进入结果分析.白细胞介素6在各组均呈上升趋势,星状神经节阻滞组仅在再灌注30 h时高于假手术组,差异有显著性[(321±52)和(299±45)ng/L,P＜0.05];与缺血前比较,生理盐水对照组在再灌注4 h开始显著升高[(365±46)ng/L],空白对照组在再灌注10 h以后出现显著性升高[(368±31)ng/L,P＜0.05].星状神经节阻滞组与假手术组,生理盐水对照组与空白对照组组间差异无显著性(P＞0.05);生理盐水对照组和空白对照组白细胞介素6水平在再灌注4～30 h时均高于假手术组,在再灌注10 h以后高于星状神经节阻滞组,差异均有显著性(P均＜0.05).星状神经节阻滞组白细胞介素6升高的水平较生理盐水对照组、空白对照组显著降低(P＜0.05).结论星状神经节阻滞可明显降低家兔全脑缺血再灌注期间血清白细胞介素6的水平,提示星状神经节阻滞对全脑缺血再灌注损伤具有一定的保护和治疗作用,可作为治疗脑缺血再灌注损伤的一种新的途径.     

Regional intravenous guanethidine vs. stellate ganglion block in reflex sympathetic dystrophies: a randomized trial

Regional intravenous guanethidine blocks and stellate ganglion blocks have been compared in a randomized trial. Nineteen patients, randomly allocated to two groups of therapy and exhibiting severe reflex sympathetic dystrophy following peripheral nerve lesions, have been treated. The performance of the intravenous guanethidine block is of longer duration and superior to stellate ganglion block, as regards some early pharmacological effects (skin temperatures and amplitude of plethysmographic waves recorded before blockade and 15 min, 60 min, 24 h, 48 h after institution of the block). In fact the intravenous guanethidine group shows a persistent and significant increase of the skin temperature and of the plethysmographic traces in the blocked side 24 h and 48 h after blockade in comparison with the patients treated with stellate ganglion block. Concerning the therapeutic effects (changes in pain scores and clinical signs--hyperpathia, allodynia, vasomotor disturbances, trophic changes, oedema and limited motion), recorded at the end of treatment and 1 month and 3 months follow-up, an intravenous guanethidine block carried out every 4 days up to a total of 4 blocks is comparable with a stellate ganglion block every day up to a total of 8 blocks. The results of this study show that regional sympathetic block with guanethidine is a good therapeutic tool in the treatment of reflex dystrophies, especially on account of its negligible risks and contraindications.     

Sialorrhea, hyperhidrosis and botulinum toxin]

OBJECTIVE: The first clinical studies indicate that Botox provides effective treatment for hyperhidrosis and sialorrhea. The aim of this work is to sum up current evaluation of this use. METHOD: A systematic literature search was conducted on the Pub Med database, along with on chapters in other publications. The most interesting articles in relation to our own personal experience were chosen. RESULTS: Despite recent use of BT to treat focal hyperhidrosis, there have been numerous publications since 1997. However, the injected areas have not been listed so frequently. Axillary hyperhidrosis has been studied most; it is also in this case and in the case of gustatory sweating that the best results have been obtained. Publications about palmar and especially plantar hyperhidrosis are much rarer, almost anecdotic. It has been demonstrated to a lesser extent that BT injections are effective in these cases. Literature about sialorrhea is just beginning. However, the reduction of the production of saliva following intra parenchymatic injection of toxin into the parotid and submandibular glands, thus rarifying drooling, has been demonstrated.For each of the pathological indications, both the injection techniques and the optimal doses remain to be determined. DISCUSSION: Because BT blocks all cholinergic transmission, including the autonomous nervous system, it was plausible to expect a reduction in sweating and salivation on local injection of the product. In fact, the first publications indicated such efficiency without serious side effects.For hyperhidrosis, there has developed a consensus for making intracutaneous injections only. Of the injections in axillary areas, the palms of the hands, the plantar regions, the face or other cutaneous areas, palmoplantar hyperhidrosis is the least accessible, in any case causes the most technical problems, because of difficulty in pain management. For sialorrhea and the drooling that accompanies certain chronical neurological diseases, BT seems to have very promising effects. However, it has not been precisely determined whether to inject the parotid gland, the submandibular gland, or both. Necessary and sufficient means of targeting are still imprecise. It also remains to be determined the number of sites per gland and the doses to be injected.