RESUMO
PURPOSE: To evaluate the benefits of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous sympathicolysis with radiofrequency in patients with primary palmar hyperhidrosis (PPHH) in terms of safety, patient satisfaction, and short- and long-term efficacy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 139 procedures in 108 patients (mean age, 29.89 y ± 10.94), including 50 men and 58 women, with PPHH and therapy-resistance of nonsurgical treatments were retrospectively analyzed. Treatment was performed bilaterally at T2, T3, and T4 levels, reaching 90°C during 8 minutes. Technical success, immediate efficacy, and presence of complications were analyzed. For follow-up, the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale was used to evaluate the hyperhidrosis before, at one month, and in the long-term through a survey of 42 patients. Patients' satisfaction and complications were also recorded. RESULTS: The technical success rate was 98.56%. The increase in palmar skin temperature was 4.88°C ± 1.85. A total of 85.3% of participants had completely dry hands immediately after treatment. The mean follow-up time was 41.34 months (range, 6-62 mo). One month after treatment, the response rate was 77.38% (P < .001). At long-term follow-up, the response rate was 69.04% (P < .001). Two major complications were observed (1.8%), 52.38% of patients were satisfied, and 59.52% of patients presented compensatory hyperhidrosis at long-term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous CT-guided sympathicolysis is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of PPHH and can be considered as a second choice in patients in whom other nonsurgical therapeutic options have failed, despite the compensatory hyperhidrosis rates.
Assuntos
Hiperidrose/cirurgia , Radiografia Intervencionista , Simpatectomia/métodos , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios X , Adulto , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Estudos Retrospectivos , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Corticosteroids are the systemic treatment of choice in patients with pemphigus vulgaris, but chronic administration is associated with side effects. Intravenous treatment with cyclophosphamide can improve the clinical signs of pemphigus vulgaris. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We prospectively studied 8 patients diagnosed with pemphigus vulgaris. Six of these had mucocutaneous pemphigus vulgaris and 2 had mucosal pemphigus vulgaris. Treatment consisted of 10 cycles of cyclophosphamide at a dose of 10-15 mg/kg separated by 15 days, while maintaining the initial corticosteroid and immunosuppressant dose. Clinical efficacy was assessed and the anti-epidermal intercellular substance (EIS) and anti-desmoglein (DSG) 3 and 1 antibody titers were monitored (by indirect immunofluorescence and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively). RESULTS: All patients with pemphigus vulgaris responded excellently to treatment. Five of the 8 patients achieved complete remission of pemphigus lesions after 10 cycles of cyclophosphamide. In the other 3 patients, the skin lesions disappeared a few weeks after the last cycle of cyclophosphamide. A substantial reduction in immuno suppressant dose was possible in all patients. Furthermore, an improved immunologic response was observed in all cases after cyclophosphamide treatment, with decreased anti-DSG1 and anti-DSG3 antibody titers and well as decreased circulating anti-EIS antibody titers. During the mean 15.1 month follow-up (range, 1-25 months), no new lesions appeared and no side effects of cyclophosphamide therapy were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Fortnightly cycles of intravenous cyclophosphamide may be a useful therapeutic option in patients with severe pemphigus vulgaris. A reduction of corticosteroid dose was possible with this therapeutic approach and the cumulative cyclophosphamide dose was lower than with daily oral administration. Our findings also show that the therapeutic approach induces clinical and immunologic remission in most patients.
