[A predictive thermographic test of the effect of lumbar sympathectomy]

The benefit of lumbar sympathectomy in the treatment of arteriopathy of the lower limb has been widely proved. To predict objectively its efficiency we developed a simple pharmacologic test under thermographic control. 1 mg of Reserpine is injected in a femoral artery, a digitalized thermography enables to follow the chronological evolution of temperatures of the lower limbs. Thirty patients were investigated, 27 responded positively. The mean increase in temperature of the injected limb reached 1.62 degrees C beginning 2 h 46 after the injection of Reserpine.