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Focal (segmental) dyshidrosis in syringomyelia.
1Department of Neurology, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan. sudo@med.hokudai.ac.jp
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
|June 17, 1999
Summary
Syringomyelia can cause segmental hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) or hypohidrosis (reduced sweating). Early-stage syringomyelia may present with hyperhidrosis, indicating a less damaged spinal cord.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Dermatology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Dyshidrosis, encompassing hyperhidrosis and hypohidrosis, lacks clear mechanistic understanding.
- The distinction between hyperhidrosis and hypohidrosis in the context of syringomyelia is not well-defined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the features and mechanisms of dyshidrosis in patients with syringomyelia and Chiari malformation.
- To differentiate between hyperhidrosis and hypohidrosis in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- Prospective analysis of clinical hidrosis features in 30 patients with syringomyelia and Chiari malformation.
- Classification of patients into hypohidrosis, hyperhidrosis, and normohidrosis groups.
Main Results:
- 40% had normohidrosis, 33.3% segmental hyperhidrosis, and 26.7% segmental hypohidrosis.
- Hypohidrosis group showed significantly lower Karnofsky functional status and longer duration from syringomyelia onset compared to hyperhidrosis group.
- A significant negative correlation was found between disease duration and performance score.
Conclusions:
- Early syringomyelia may cause sympathetic preganglionic neuron hyperactivity, leading to focal hyperhidrosis.
- Progressive tissue damage in syringomyelia leads to reduced sweating (hypohidrosis).
- Focal hyperhidrosis and normohidrosis may indicate a relatively intact spinal cord.