Skip to main content
Erschienen in: Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) 4/2020

21.02.2020 | Original Article

The etiology of notalgia paresthetica: a descriptive study of 117 patients

verfasst von: Engin Şenel, Shaun Holt, Emine Sabancılar, Zafer Sabancılar, Seher Doğruer Şenel

Erschienen in: Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) | Ausgabe 4/2020

Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhalten

Abstract

Background

Notalgia paresthetica (NP) is a neuropathic itching condition unilaterally localized in the midscapular area. It is a common but an underdiagnosed disease, and only a few studies investigating NP etiology with a limited number of patients have been reported in the literature.

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the demographic, clinical, histopathological, neurological, and radiological findings of NP patients and investigate correlations between them and symptoms of NP to elucidate the etiology of NP.

Methods

One hundred and seventeen consecutive patients diagnosed with NP were included and assessed in a multidisciplinary and prospective manner. We recorded demographic and clinical data and obtained a skin biopsy from the pruritic or hyperpigmented region. Pruritus severity was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS). All patients were evaluated neurologically with magnetic resonance imaging.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 47.08 ± 12.28 years. The disease was more common in females (87.2%). Statistical analysis revealed that VAS scores were independent of the age, gender, and skin type of the patient. We found no significant difference in VAS scores between NP patients with or without comorbidities. Vertebral pathologies detected by MRI and amyloid deposition revealed in histopathology were not among the main factors affecting VAS scores.

Study Limitation

Since consecutive patients enrolled into the study, we could not include equal number of male and female patients.

Conclusion

We found no correlation between symptom severity and findings from neurological and histopathological evaluations. Further microneurological studies should be carried out to elucidate the etiology of NP.
Literatur
1.
Zurück zum Zitat Chiriac A, Podoleanu C, Moldovan C, Stolnicu S (2016) Notalgia paresthetica, a clinical series and review. Pain Pract 16:E90–E91CrossRef Chiriac A, Podoleanu C, Moldovan C, Stolnicu S (2016) Notalgia paresthetica, a clinical series and review. Pain Pract 16:E90–E91CrossRef
2.
Zurück zum Zitat Terzi R, Sirinocak PB (2016) A rare cause of neuropathic pain in the back: notalgia paresthetica. Noro Psikiyatr Ars 53:89–90CrossRef Terzi R, Sirinocak PB (2016) A rare cause of neuropathic pain in the back: notalgia paresthetica. Noro Psikiyatr Ars 53:89–90CrossRef
3.
Zurück zum Zitat Reich A, Heisig M, Phan NQ et al (2012) Visual analogue scale: evaluation of the instrument for the assessment of pruritus. Acta Derm Venereol 92:497–501CrossRef Reich A, Heisig M, Phan NQ et al (2012) Visual analogue scale: evaluation of the instrument for the assessment of pruritus. Acta Derm Venereol 92:497–501CrossRef
4.
Zurück zum Zitat Lo Schiavo A, Peccerillo F, Mascolo M, la Montagna M, Caccavale T, Gambardella A, Caccavale S (2015) Inverse notalgia paresthetica: a strange case of professional disease. Int J Dermatol 54:e49–e51CrossRef Lo Schiavo A, Peccerillo F, Mascolo M, la Montagna M, Caccavale T, Gambardella A, Caccavale S (2015) Inverse notalgia paresthetica: a strange case of professional disease. Int J Dermatol 54:e49–e51CrossRef
5.
Zurück zum Zitat Huesmann T, Cunha PR, Osada N et al (2012) Notalgia paraesthetica: a descriptive two-cohort study of 65 patients from Brazil and Germany. Acta Derm Venereol 92:535–540CrossRef Huesmann T, Cunha PR, Osada N et al (2012) Notalgia paraesthetica: a descriptive two-cohort study of 65 patients from Brazil and Germany. Acta Derm Venereol 92:535–540CrossRef
6.
Zurück zum Zitat Elmas ÖF, Kızılyel O, Metin MS et al (2015) An overlooked clinical entity: notalgia paresthetica. Agriculture 27:224–225 Elmas ÖF, Kızılyel O, Metin MS et al (2015) An overlooked clinical entity: notalgia paresthetica. Agriculture 27:224–225
7.
Zurück zum Zitat Alcántara F, Feito M, Albizuri F et al (2016) Notalgia paresthetica and multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome 2A: a case report. Pediatr Dermatol 33:e303–e305CrossRef Alcántara F, Feito M, Albizuri F et al (2016) Notalgia paresthetica and multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome 2A: a case report. Pediatr Dermatol 33:e303–e305CrossRef
8.
Zurück zum Zitat Shumway NK, Cole E, Fernandez KH (2016) Neurocutaneous disease. J Am Acad Dermatol 74:215–228CrossRef Shumway NK, Cole E, Fernandez KH (2016) Neurocutaneous disease. J Am Acad Dermatol 74:215–228CrossRef
9.
Zurück zum Zitat Andersen HH, Sand C, Elberling J (2016) Considerable variability in the efficacy of 8% capsaicin topical patches in the treatment of chronic pruritus in 3 patients with notalgia paresthetica. Ann Dermatol 28:86–89CrossRef Andersen HH, Sand C, Elberling J (2016) Considerable variability in the efficacy of 8% capsaicin topical patches in the treatment of chronic pruritus in 3 patients with notalgia paresthetica. Ann Dermatol 28:86–89CrossRef
10.
Zurück zum Zitat Misery L, Brenaut E, Le Garrec R et al (2014) Neuropathic pruritus. Nat Rev Neurol 10:408–416CrossRef Misery L, Brenaut E, Le Garrec R et al (2014) Neuropathic pruritus. Nat Rev Neurol 10:408–416CrossRef
11.
Zurück zum Zitat Raison-Peyron N, Meunier L, Acevedo M, Meynadier J (1999) Notalgia paresthetica: clinical, physiopathological and therapeutic aspects. A study of 12 cases. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 12:215–221CrossRef Raison-Peyron N, Meunier L, Acevedo M, Meynadier J (1999) Notalgia paresthetica: clinical, physiopathological and therapeutic aspects. A study of 12 cases. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 12:215–221CrossRef
12.
Zurück zum Zitat Şavk E, Şavk ŞÖ (2004) On brachioradial pruritus and notalgia paresthetica [4]. J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 50:800–801 Şavk E, Şavk ŞÖ (2004) On brachioradial pruritus and notalgia paresthetica [4]. J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 50:800–801
13.
Zurück zum Zitat Alai NN, Skinner HB, Nabili ST et al (2010) Notalgia paresthetica associated with cervical spinal stenosis and cervicothoracic disk disease at C4 through C7. Cutis 85:77–81PubMed Alai NN, Skinner HB, Nabili ST et al (2010) Notalgia paresthetica associated with cervical spinal stenosis and cervicothoracic disk disease at C4 through C7. Cutis 85:77–81PubMed
14.
Zurück zum Zitat Tchanque-Fossuo CN, Isseroff RR, Silverstein MA (2016) Fluoroscopy induced chronic radiation dermatitis should be included in the differential diagnosis of notalgia paresthetica. Dermatol Online J 22(11):13030/qt0kh726m9 Tchanque-Fossuo CN, Isseroff RR, Silverstein MA (2016) Fluoroscopy induced chronic radiation dermatitis should be included in the differential diagnosis of notalgia paresthetica. Dermatol Online J 22(11):13030/qt0kh726m9
15.
Zurück zum Zitat Ellis C (2013) Notalgia paresthetica: the unreachable itch. Dermatol Pract Concept 3:3–6CrossRef Ellis C (2013) Notalgia paresthetica: the unreachable itch. Dermatol Pract Concept 3:3–6CrossRef
16.
Zurück zum Zitat Davidson S, Zhang X, Yoon CH et al (2007) The itch-producing agents histamine and cowhage activate separate populations of primate spinothalamic tract neurons. J Neurosci 27:10007–10014CrossRef Davidson S, Zhang X, Yoon CH et al (2007) The itch-producing agents histamine and cowhage activate separate populations of primate spinothalamic tract neurons. J Neurosci 27:10007–10014CrossRef
Metadaten
Titel
The etiology of notalgia paresthetica: a descriptive study of 117 patients
verfasst von
Engin Şenel
Shaun Holt
Emine Sabancılar
Zafer Sabancılar
Seher Doğruer Şenel
Publikationsdatum
21.02.2020
Verlag
Springer London
Erschienen in
Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) / Ausgabe 4/2020
Print ISSN: 0021-1265
Elektronische ISSN: 1863-4362
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-019-02133-1

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 4/2020

Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) 4/2020 Zur Ausgabe

Leitlinien kompakt für die Innere Medizin

Mit medbee Pocketcards sicher entscheiden.

Seit 2022 gehört die medbee GmbH zum Springer Medizin Verlag

Update Innere Medizin

Bestellen Sie unseren Fach-Newsletter und bleiben Sie gut informiert.