Assessment of craniofacial hyperhidrosis and flushing by sphenopalatine blockade - a randomized trial

Craniofacial hyperhidrosis (CFH) and flushing express nervous system autonomic dysfunction. Available reference treatments lack good compliance. The study objective was to investigate variations of CFH/flushing after two methods of sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) blockade.

CFH patients (n=25) were randomized in a ratio of 1:3 in two groups; 1) endoscopic application of topical lidocaine over SPG (TL; n=7); 2) endoscopic injection of lidocaine in the SPG (IL; n=18). CFH, flushing, rhinorrhoea, nasal obstruction, and smell detection were scored by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Nasal endoscopy, acoustic rhinometry, mucociliary transport test, smell/taste test, Schirmer test, Short Form-12, Chronic Skin Diseases Questionnaire, and Skin Satisfaction Questionnaire were also performed at visit 0, 1, 3 and 6 months.

At baseline, groups reported similar CFH VAS (TL: 89.3 plus or minus 17.5mm; IL: 85.7 plus or minus 22.1mm) or flushing VAS (TL: 52.7 plus or minus 30mm; IL: 59 plus or minus 33.8mm). After 6 months, the least squares mean of CFH VAS in IL was -38.1 (-47.3 to -28.9) compared to TL 1.9 (-12.2 to 15.9). However, flushing VAS did not improve. Any rhinological measure nor quality of life test showed significant changes. One patient presented controlled epistaxis intraoperatively during IL.

This preliminary study shows the sphenopalatine blockade injection as a safe procedure. Patients with CFH or flushing had significant improvement after lidocaine injection which lasted 6 months. Due to the small sample and the lack of objective measures more studies are needed.