Experience of negative pressure fractional microneedle radiofrequency therapy for axillary osmidrosis: a case study

Negative pressure fractional microneedle radiofrequency (NPFMR) therapy has emerged as a potential minimally invasive treatment for axillary osmidrosis (AO), a condition characterized by persistent strong body odor from the armpit area.

This case study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of NPFMR for AO treatment. From January to September 2024, 30 patients with AO were recruited, with a gender distribution of 19 females and 11 males, aged 17-34 years (mean 23). AO was diagnosed based on the presence of strong armpit odor in the absence of significant hyperhidrosis. The severity of AO was classified into four grades. All patients were followed up at 3 months, 6 months and 1 year post-treatment. The efficacy and complications were recorded and assessed.

The efficacy rates observed at 3 months and 6 months post-treatment were 83.67% and 76.67% respectively, with the efficacy rate remaining the same as that at 6 months after 1 year of follow-up. There were four cases of complications, At the 3-month follow-up, three patients developed punctate scars in the treated area, with the largest scar measuring 0.5 cm in diameter. One patient reported a numbness in their upper limb at the 3-month follow-up, which resolved after oral administration of mecobalamin at the 6-month follow-up. The total complication rate for this group was 13.3%.

NPFMR therapy demonstrates promising short-term efficacy for AO treatment. However, caution should be exercised due to potential complications, and comprehensive patient education is necessary. Longer-term follow-up studies are needed to evaluate the durability of the therapeutic effects and to monitor for any delayed adverse effects. Strategies for managing complications should also be explored to improve patient care outcomes.