Segmental pruritus and intramedullary vascular malformation.

Abstract

Pruritus remains a medical mystery. Generally related with dermatological diseases, it is rarely associated with a neurological cause. We report a case of segmental pruritus (right T2 dermatome) related to an intramedullary vascular malformation. An anatomicophysiological explanation is presented. It is the first demonstration in man that pain receptors are not involved in pruritus, and suggests pruritus is under the control of descending inhibitory pathways.