Radionuclide angiography in the assessment of lumbar sympathectomy

Nuclear angiography was used in the assessment of the effects of lumbar sympathectomy in 16 patients. Computed nuclear angiographic study was performed before and after sympathectomy. 7 patients had a good clinical course and 9 had a poor prognosis. Visual observation and computed analysis gave almost equal information. Shortening of arrival time (ATdecrease) and increase in input rate ratio (IRratio) were the most suitable parameters in computed analysis. A good clinical course was probable if ATdecrease was greater than or equal to 5 s and IRratio greater than or equal to 1.3. Smaller values predicted poor prognosis. Preoperative Doppler ankle/arm systolic blood pressure index (API) greater than or equal to 0.50 predicted good and less than or equal to 0.50 poor clinical response. Postoperative API provided no additional information and was not able to measure the effects of sympathectomy. Radionuclide angiography was found to be a safe, noninvasive reliable method in the evaluation of peripheral circulation in the follow-up of sympathectomy.