[Measuring regional blood flow in evaluating CT-controlled lumbar sympathetic neurolysis in arterial occlusive disease].

A prospective study was designed to evaluate the effect of CT-guided lumbar sympathectomy in PAOD using the following investigations: 1: laser flowmetry, 2. thermography, 3. plethysmography, 4. thallium scintigraphy. A significant improvement of perfusion was shown. The results of thallium scintigraphy disproved the often claimed steal effect of the muscle perfusion in favor of an increased skin perfusion. 80% of the treated patients experienced relief of their pain. Chemical sympathectomy proved to be as effective as the surgical procedure.