Investigation of spinal pathology in notalgia paresthetica

J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005 Jun;52(6):1085-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2005.01.138.

Abstract

A possible association of spinal pathology with notalgia paresthetica (NP) was investigated through clinical and radiographic evaluation. Forty-three NP patients underwent dermatologic and orthopedic examination accompanied by radiography of the spine. Sixty-one lesions in 43 patients were evaluated. In 34 patients, various vertebral pathologies were observed radiographically by a blinded investigator, and in 28 of these cases these changes were most prominent in the vertebrae which corresponded to a lesional dermatome. Thirty-seven lesions were accompanied by spinal changes decided to be relevant (60.7%). The striking correlation of NP localization with spinal pathology suggests that spinal nerve impingement may contribute to the pathogenesis of this entity.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Back
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperpigmentation / etiology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Somatosensory Disorders / etiology*
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / complications*