[CT-guided percutaneous lumbar sympathicolysis in peripheral arterial occlusive diseases]

Between June 1991 and November 1992, 36 patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease were treated by CT-guided percutaneous lumbar sympathicolysis. Three months after the procedure, 39% claimed subjective improvement, 53% were unchanged and 8% were worse. Walking distance increased significantly from 86 to 167 m (p = 0.02). There was a comparable increase in walking distance between diabetics and non-diabetics. Comparison of one and two level procedures (each 50%) also showed similar increase in walking distance. There were no serious complications. The results justify the use of CT-guided percutaneous lumbar sympathicolysis in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease who are unsuitable for treatment by revascularisation. The procedure can be carried out on an outpatient basis and on otherwise inoperable patients and therefore has significant advantages compared with surgical sympathectomy.