New stereotactic technique for percutaneous thermocoagulation upper thoracic ganglionectomy in cases of palmar...

To perform unilateral or bilateral upper thoracic ganglionectomy, we established a three-dimensional system of coordinates for T2 and T3 ganglia. For this purpose, the spatial relations were represented by drawings obtained from 50 Chinese cadavers. A simple stereotactic frame was constructed as an aid in performing the procedure. Then, according to the established three-dimensional system of coordinates, percutaneous thermocoagulation of both T2 and T3 ganglia was performed on 10 patients (20 sides) with palmar hyperhidrosis, under local anesthesia and fluoroscopic guidance at the posteroanterior projection. Excellent relief of abnormal sweating in 19 of the 20 hands was achieved. Partial relief was obtained in the remaining hand. No complication was observed in our patients. The technique has been proved to be safe, effective, and simpler than other methods now in use.