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. 2024 Sep 20;3(4):100439.
doi: 10.1016/j.inpm.2024.100439. eCollection 2024 Dec.

Letter to the editor: The use of XperGuide® needle guidance software for CT guided thoracic sympathetic block

Christiaan Sj Hammerstein  1 , Sjoerd Servaas  2 , Erik Gj Vermeulen  3 , Oscar Bham van Haagen  2
Affiliations

Letter to the editor: The use of XperGuide® needle guidance software for CT guided thoracic sympathetic block

Christiaan Sj Hammerstein et al. Interv Pain Med. .

Abstract

With the introduction of modern cone beam computed tomography in the operating room, the benefits of imaging modalities in daily practice are recognized by an increasing number of clinicians. Newer generation imaging modalities include CT needle guidance software, which can aid the operator place the needle correctly during percutaneous intervention. This technique has several advantages over traditional percutaneous interventions, especially for high risk procedures like thoracic sympathectomy. We describe and discuss outcomes and possible advantages of applying CT guided needle placement using needle guidance software (XperGuide®) for percutaneous thoracic sympathetic blockade in 8 patients. Based on our findings, we conclude that the use of high quality imaging and needle guidance software such as XperGuide® may improve patient outcomes, and reduce the risk of adverse effects, providing a relatively easy, safe, and valuable alternative treatment strategy for thoracic sympathectomies.

Keywords: Cone beam CT; Hybrid operation room; Sympathectomy; Thoracic sympathetic block; XperGuide.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Image 1.1
Image 1.1
(left): Computing the needle trajectory using the XperGuide® software. Image 1.2 (right): XperGuide® helps to choose the correct needle trajectory.
Image 2.1
Image 2.1
(left): Left hand before treatment. Image 2.2. (right): Profound vasodilation after treatment.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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