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Segmental Hyperhidrosis as a Manifestation of Spinal and Paraspinal Disease

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

Valerie Schulz
Affiliation:
Departments of Anesthesia, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario
Donna Ward
Affiliation:
Department of Family Medicine, Grand River Hospital, Kitchener, Ontario.
Dwight E. Moulin*
Affiliation:
Departments of Clinical Neurological Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario
*
Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, London Health Sciences Centre, Victoria Campus, 375 South Street, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 4G5
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Abstract:

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Background:

Segmental hyperhidrosis is an uncommon finding which is usually associated with irritation or infiltration of pre-ganglionic sympathetic fibres or the sympathetic chain.

Methods:

We report two cases of segmental hyperhidrosis with striking clinical features.

Results:

In one case, a mesothelioma produced ipsilateral simultaneous underactivity and overactivity of sympathetic outflow and in the other case a thoracic central disc herniation was probably responsible for a band of sweating which clearly extended beyond the segmental level of injury.

Conclusion:

Segmental hyperhidrosis should trigger a search for structural disease in the spinal and paraspinal region.

Résumé:

RÉSUMÉ:Introduction:

L'hyperhydrose segmentaire est une observation rare qui est habituellement associée à une irritation ou à une infiltration des fibres sympathiques pré-ganglionnaires ou de la chaîne sympathique.

Méthodes:

Nous rapportons deux cas d'hyperhydrose segmentaire accompagnée de manifestations cliniques inusitées.

Résultats:

Dans un cas, un mésothéliome a provoqué simultanément une hypoactivité et une hyperactivité sympathique ipsilatérale et dans l'autre cas, une hernie discale centrale au niveau thoracique était probablement responsable d'une bande de transpiration qui s'étendait au-delà du niveau segmentaire de la lésion.

Conclusion:

Dans l'hyperhydrose segmentaire, on doit rechercher une maladie structurale dans la région spinale et paraspinale.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1998

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