Notalgia-Paresthetica - Clinical, Pathological And Immunohistochemical Observations In 12 Cases

Notalgia paresthetica (NP) is a perculiar dermatosis characterized by pigmented and pruritic patches on the skin of the back. Although not a rare condition, it has been infrequently reported in the literature. Recent immunohistochemical studies, as well as the effectiveness of topical capsaicin in relieving NP symptoms, point to a pathogenetic role of cutaneous nerve fibers in NP. We present here our clinical and pathological observations in 12 cases of NP. In eight cases skin specimens were also immunocytochemically evaluated with a panel of neurochemical markers, and compared to both the contralateral skin of the dorsum and the site-matched skin from healthy subjects. No significant difference was observed in the presence, distribution or density of immunoreactive fibers in the different groups. The results suggest that functional, rather than morphological changes in local nerve terminals could be operating in this disease.