Korean J Pain.  2005 Dec;18(2):171-175. 10.3344/kjp.2005.18.2.171.

Dorsal Percutaneous Thoracic Sympathetic Ganglion Block with Alcohol for the Treatment of Palmar Hyperhidrosis

• Yang JY
• Kim C
• Han KR
• Cho HW
• Kim EJ

• KMID: 2277983
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2005.18.2.171

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Hyperhidrosis is the troublesome disorder of excessive perspiration, which affects as much as 0.15-1% of the population. There are many methods for treating hyperhidrosis. In this report, we present our experience of dorsal percutaneous thoracic sympathetic ganglion block (TSGB) using 99.9% ethyl alcohol for treating palmar hyperhidrosis. METHODS: Between March 1992 and July 2003, a total of 856 patients underwent TSGB for the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis of which 625 were followed up for 2 years. There were 297 and 328 male and female patients, respectively, with a mean age of 23.9+/-7.7 years. TSGB was performed under fluoroscopic guidance using 99.9% ethyl alcohol at the T2 and T3 sympathetic ganglia. RESULTS: In the 625 patients, the recurrence rates within the 1st and 2nd years were 29 and 8%, respectively. Compensatory sweating occurred in 42.1% of patients, which was severe in 7.5%. Of the 625 patients 21.0 and 36.9% were either very satisfied or relatively satisfied with the outcome, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our report confirms that TSGB may be a good alternative to endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy in the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis.

Keyword

alcohol; palmar hyperhidrosis; thoracic sympathetic ganglion block

MeSH Terms

Ethanol
Female
Ganglia, Sympathetic*
Humans
Hyperhidrosis*
Male
Recurrence
Sweat
Sweating
Sympathectomy
Ethanol