Notalgia Paresthetica of the Back Successfully Controlled by Pregabalin.
- Author:
Min Young PARK
1
;
Jeong Min KIM
;
Gun Wook KIM
;
Margaret SONG
;
Hoon Soo KIM
;
Hyun Chang KO
;
Moon Bum KIM
;
Byung Soo KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea. dockbs@pusan.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Neurometer;
Neuropathic itch;
Notalgia paresthetica;
Quantitative sensory testing;
Von-Frey filaments
- MeSH:
Immunochemistry;
Nerve Compression Syndromes;
Nerve Fibers;
Pregabalin*;
S100 Proteins;
Shoulder;
Spinal Nerves;
Thorax
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
2017;55(3):198-202
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Notalgia paresthetica (NP) is a chronic localized itch, affecting mainly the inter-scapular area particularly between the T2-T6 dermatomes. Occasionally it has a more widespread distribution and involves the shoulders, back, and upper chest. There are no specific cutaneous signs, apart from those attributed to scratching and rubbing. Various etiologies have been reported, but the cause of NP is not established. The current hypothesis regarding its etiology postulates that a neuropathic itch develops due to nerve entrapment of the posterior rami of spinal nerve arising at T2-T6. Another recent documented case showed an increase in the number of intradermal nerves by neural immunochistochemistry staining of S-100 protein, protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5). Herein, we experienced an uncommon case of NP of the back and tried to clarify pathogenesis by using quantitative sensory testing, such as neurometer and Von-Frey filaments. Also, we performed neural immunochemistry to confirm an increase in nerve fibers at the site of the lesion.
