Percutaneous phenol block of the upper thoracic sympathetic chain with computed tomography guidance. A new technique.

Twenty-one percutaneous neurolyses of the upper thoracic sympathetic chain were performed in 12 patients with CT guidance by a single injection of 1 to 3 ml of phenol at the level of Th3. Results were assessed after a follow-up period varying from 4 to 33 months. Three patients with hyperhidrosis had immediate and complete disappearance of symptoms, but only one patient remained dry. In 7/14 procedures done for Raynaud's disease symptoms disappeared or diminished. These long term results are competitive with surgery. Three transitory Horner syndromes and one pneumothorax occurred.