Brachioradial Pruritus as a Symptom of Cervical Radiculopathy

Mataix, J.; Silvestre, J.F.; Climent, J.M.; Pastor, N.; Lucas, A.

doi:10.1016/S1578-2190(08)70349-4

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Abstract

Brachioradial pruritus is characterized by the presence of pruritus on the lateral aspect of the arms. The etiology of this enigmatic entity is the subject of some debate —some authors claim that brachioradial pruritus is a photodermatosis whereas others attribute it to the presence of underlying cervical radiculopathy. In these case reports, we present our experience with brachioradial pruritus and discuss the role of underlying neuropathy in its etiology and that of other types of localized pruritus such as notalgia paresthetica, anogenital pruritus, and burning mouth syndrome.

Key words:

brachioradial pruritus

gabapentin

cervical radiculopathy

Resumen

El prurito braquiorradial (PBR) se caracteriza por la presencia de prurito localizado en la cara lateral de los brazos. Se trata de una entidad enigmática con una etiología controvertida; mientras que algunos autores consideran el PBR como una fotodermatosis, otros atribuyen su aparición a la presencia de una radiculopatía cervical subyacente.

En este artículo se presenta nuestra experiencia con esta entidad y se discute el papel de una neuropatía subyacente en la etiología de este y otros pruritos localizados como la notalgia parestésica, el prurito anogenital o el síndrome de la boca ardiente.

Palabras clave:

prurito braquiorradial

gabapentina

radiculopatía cervical

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