|
1
|
Berger AA, Urits I, Orhurhu V, Viswanath O, Hasoon J. Brachioradial pruritus in a 52-year-old woman: A case report. Case Rep Womens Health 2019; 24:e00157. [PMID: 31763184 PMCID: PMC6861558 DOI: 10.1016/j.crwh.2019.e00157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 10/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Brachioradial pruritus is a specific subtype of neuropathic pruritus that commonly presents in women. Brachioradial pruritus presents mostly as a dorsal forearm itch. This condition is more common in fair-skinned females. This condition is exacerbated by exposure to bright sunlight and ultraviolet radiation. This condition is associated with degenerative changes in the cervical spine.
Brachioradial pruritus is a specific subtype of neuropathic pruritus that commonly presents in women. This condition is a type of neurological itch that mostly involves the dorsal forearm. It is more common in fair-skinned females, is exacerbated by exposure to bright sunlight or ultraviolet radiation (UVR), and is associated with degenerative changes in the cervical spine. Diagnosis is difficult, and is usually delayed for 2–3 years. We describe a patient who suffered brachioradial pruritus for many years and was misdiagnosed by multiple specialists until she presented to our pain clinic. The patient had undergone invasive diagnostic testing by previous specialists but this had not led to diagnosis. After a thorough history and exam, the diagnosis of brachioradial pruritus was considered and the patient was treated with anticonvulsant medications, as these have been shown to be effective in this condition. This case is of interest to all physicians treating female patients as consideration of this diagnosis can avoid unnecessary invasive diagnostic testing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amnon A Berger
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ivan Urits
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Vwaire Orhurhu
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Omar Viswanath
- Valley Anesthesiology and Pain Consultants, Envision Physician Services, Phoenix, AZ, United States.,University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix, Department of Anesthesiology, Phoenix, AZ, United States.,Creighton University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Jamal Hasoon
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
|
2
|
Rosen JD, Fostini AC, Yosipovitch G. Diagnosis and Management of Neuropathic Itch. Dermatol Clin 2018; 36:213-224. [PMID: 29929594 DOI: 10.1016/j.det.2018.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
|