Notalgia paresthetica - een diepgaande blik op huidaandoeningen en nostalgie

Cura e rimedi

Indipendentemente dall’approccio scelto, la notalgia parestetica è una condizione che solo raramente può andare incontro ad una completa regressione, ma è comunque possibile ottenere un sufficiente controllo dei sintomi in una buona percentuale dei casi (è stato rilevato da diversi autori come la semplice spiegazione della natura benigna del disturbo consentisse un apprezzabile sollievo).

L’approccio di prima scelta consiste tipicamente nell’assunzione per via orale di gabapentin, un farmaco che nasce come antiepilettico e che tuttavia ad oggi si dimostra efficace in numerosi affezioni di tipo neuropatico.

I medicinali antistaminici, in genere l’approccio di elezione per qualsiasi forma di prurito, purtroppo non offrono alcun sollievo significativo, ma gli effetti sedativi delle molecole di prima generazione (ad esempio idrossizina, Atarax®) possono aiutare a ridurre i graffi notturni.

Tra gli approcci topici (creme, unguenti, lozioni, …) eventualmente disponibili si annoverano

• cortisone, solo raramente di sollievo,
• anestetici locali, che nella migliore delle ipotesi forniscono un sollievo momentaneo (esistono anche cerotti a base di lidocaina che garantiscono un rilascio modulato e continuo nel tempo),
• capsaicina, principio attivo estratto dal peperoncino, che potrebbe fornire sollievo immediato ma di breve durata (è molto importante evitare il contatto, anche accidentale, con gli occhi),
• un approccio simile è quello ottenuto mediante applicazione di canfora o mentolo (che, anziché una sensazione di calore, innescano una percezione di fresco).

In letteratura si trovano resoconti di tentativi condotti con la tossina botulinica (botulino), ma anche in questo caso i risultati sono variabili e contrastanti, come nel caso del ricorso alla TENS (apparentemente più utile in pazienti che lamentino un insieme di alterazioni della percezione, non solo prurito).

Background

Notalgia paresthetica (NP) is characterized by localized chronic pruritus medial or inferior to the scapulae with or without an associated hyperpigmented macule. It is believed that NP is relatively common but perhaps underdiagnosed [1]. NP can exacerbate from time to time and lasts for months to years. It is widely accepted that NP is a sensory neuropathy which occurs as a result of the alteration of the cutaneous branches of the posterior rami, especially the upper branches of the T2-T6 spinal nerves [2, 3].

The arrow shows unilateral hyperpigmented macule in the medio-inferior scapulae

There are no primary cutaneous lesions in NP, these lesions are just secondary to chronic scratching and rubbing [8, 9]. Although the occurrence of NP is not rare, most cases are overlooked, therefore, it is often undiagnosed. The studies performed to date provide only limited data concerning the clinical and radiological findings of NP.

Case report

The 57-year-old woman pictured ( Figure 1 ) has had episodic pruritus of the mid-back for six years. She denied any apparent cause for the pruritus. At times there was an accompanying sensation of “pins and needles.” She also complained of heightened sensitivity in the area, which she noticed when putting on clothes or rubbing her back against the bed. She located the affected area medial to the left scapula. She could not identify anything that improved or worsened the symptoms.

On examination, there was a hyperpigmented patch medial to the left scapula within the dermatomes of T2–T6. The patient had hyperesthesia to light touch in this area. There were no dermatitis, excoriations, or appreciable tissue texture changes, warmth, or edema.

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment in the Management of Notalgia Paresthetica

Notalgia paresthetica (NP) is a sensory neuropathy of the back, often characterized by pain. The term notalgiaparesthetica is derived from the Greek root word notos, meaning “back,” and algia, meaning “pain.” The condition was first described by Astwazaturow in 1934 and has been thought to arise from the dorsal rami of thoracic nerves T2 through T6. 1,2

Clinical symptoms of NP consist of pruritus, localized dysesthesia, and hyperesthesia in the distribution of one of the cutaneous dorsal rami of the upper thoracic region. This condition may also result in hyperpigmented skin in the scapular region. Although symptoms most often present unilaterally in the left parascapular paravertebral region, bilateral or right-sided symptoms may occur instead. In our experience, some patients complain of “tingling” and hyperalgesia with tenderness localized to the spinous processes. Sensitivity to temperature, light touch, and vibration may be abnormal, and hypoesthesia to pinprick test may be noted. 2

In the current report, we describe the case of a 59-year-old woman who presented with neck and back pain and pruritus. She was diagnosed as having NP and was treated using osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). A review of the literature for etiologic processes and treatment options for patients with this condition is also provided.