Percutaneous phenol block of the upper thoracic sympathetic chain with computed tomography guidance. A new technique.
Twenty-one percutaneous neurolyses of the upper thoracic sympathetic chain were performed in 12 patients with CT guidance by a single injection of 1 to 3 ml of phenol at the level of Th3. Results were assessed after a follow-up period varying from 4 to 33 months. Three patients with hyperhidrosis had immediate and complete disappearance of symptoms, but only one patient remained dry. In 7/14 procedures done for Raynaud's disease symptoms disappeared or diminished. These long term results are competitive with surgery. Three transitory Horner syndromes and one pneumothorax occurred.
D000328:Adult; D002573:Cervical Rib Syndrome / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005728:Ganglia, Sympathetic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D006945:Hyperhidrosis / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019800:Phenol; D010636:Phenols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011677:Punctures / Q000379:methods*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000628:therapy; D013563:Sympathectomy, Chemical / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D010636:Phenols; D019800:Phenol