Unilateral Neurogenic Pruritus: Paroxysmal Itching Associated with Central Nervous System Lesions
Authors: CLINTON A. KING
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1982)

Brief Reports1 August 1982Unilateral Neurogenic Pruritus: Paroxysmal Itching Associated with Central Nervous System LesionsCLINTON A. KING, M.D., F. JACOB HUFF, M.D., JOSEPH L. JORIZZO, M.D.CLINTON A. KING, M.D., F. JACOB HUFF, M.D., JOSEPH L. JORIZZO, M.D.Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-97-2-222 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptThe neurophysiologic basis of pruritus has not been fully established. It is known to be mediated by cutaneous receptors and peripheral nerve fibers similar to those mediating pain (1). Clinical and experimental observations (2, 3) have led to a hypothesis that the central projections from spinal cord to cerebral cortex are similar for pain and pruritus. Spinal tracts mediating pain perception terminate primarily in the thalamus, from which fibers traverse the posterior limb of the internal capsule and end in the parietal cortex (4).Although pruritus has been associated with spinal cord lesions (5), to our knowledge there are no...References1. WILLISCOGGESHALL WR. Sensory Mechanisms of the Spinal Cord. New York: Plenum Press; 1978. CrossrefGoogle Scholar2. CHAPMANGOODELLWOLFF LHH. Structures and processes involved in the sensation of itch. In: MONTAGNA W, ed. Advances in Biology of Skin, Vol. I: Cutaneous Innervation. Oxford: Pergamon Press; 1960:161-88. CrossrefGoogle Scholar3. WILLIS W. Neurophysiology of nociception and pain in the spinal cord. In: BONICA JJ, ed. Pain. New York: Raven Press; 1980:77-92. Google Scholar4. PRICEDUBNER DR. Neurons that subserve the sensory-discriminative aspects of pain. Pain. 1977;3:307-38. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. YAMAMOTOYABUKIHAYABARAOTSUKI MSTS. Paroxysmal itching in multiple sclerosis: a report of three cases. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatr. 1981:44:19-22. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. JORIZZOGATTISMITH JSE. Prurigo: a clinical review. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1981;4:723-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. BEARE J. Generalized pruritus: a study of 43 cases. Clin Exp Dermatol. 1976;1:343-52. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. MARTIN J. Thalamic syndromes. In: VINKEN PJ, BRUIN JW, eds. Handbook of Clinical Neurology. Vol. 2. Amsterdam: North Holland Publishing Company; 1969:469-96. Google Scholar9. MAUGUIERECOURJON FJ. Somatosensory epilepsy: a review of 127 cases. Brain. 1978;101:307-32. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. 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