The effects of lumbar sympathectomy on bone and soft tissue haemodynamics of the leg recorded using near infrared spectroscopy: A case report

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Sciedu Press via the DOI in this record.Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is an established tool for the measurement of microvascular haemodynamics in different tissue\udtypes. This case report outlines the novel use of NIRS for measuring total oxygenation index (TOI) and relative oxygenated and\uddeoxygenated haemoglobin concentration changes as markers of oxygenation and blood volume in muscle and bone tissue. In\udparticular, NIRS is used to examine differences between the left and right leg in a participant who has experienced a permanent\udunilateral lumbar sympathectomy following an anterior lumbar intervertebral fusion. Anatomical sites at the lateral head of the\udgastrocnemius, tibial diaphysis and proximal tibia were investigated with NIRS during an arterial occlusion protocol at the distal\udfemur. Consistent differences were observed between the sympathectomised left leg and the normal right leg. These included\udreduced baseline TOI, reduced deoxygenation rates during occlusion, and reduced reoxygenation rates post occlusion release\udin the sympathectomised leg at all anatomical sites. This case report demonstrates the potential of NIRS as a research tool for\udinvestigating the microvascular effects of lumbar sympathectomy. This may be useful for further investigation into the merit of\udchemical lumbar sympathectomy for the treatment of a variety of conditions, including hyperhidrosis and peripheral vascular\uddisease.Acknowledgements go to Clare Thorn for her help with this\udresearch. Also to the College of Radiographers Industrial\udPartnership Scheme (CoRIPS) for their financial support of\udthis research programme via the CoRIPS Doctoral Fellowship\udGrant