[Tests for autonomic functions: sudomotor function].
Sudomotor function tests provide information on the functional state of the sympathetic system innervating skin, the postganglionic fibers of which are cholinergic. Various methods for sweat elicitation and its qualitative or quantitative detection are described here, but most practical combinations vary depending on the purpose of testing and possible pathophysiology of each patient; 1) hyperhidrosis vs. hypo- or anhidrosis, 2) central vs. peripheral or postganglionic lesions, 3) generalized vs. focal disturbances. When these are unknown, thermal sweating of the whole body is most informative. Comparison of thermal and pharmacological sweating enables one to estimate the extent and possible site of sympathetic disturbance. In evaluating the results of sudomotor function tests, factors due to employed methods, age, sex, posture, medication, etc must be taken into consideration. In general, hyperhidrosis is more difficult than hypohidrosis to estimate its underlying mechanism, since the functional relation between the facilitatory hypothalamo-spinal pathway and other central structures still remains largely unknown.
Saito
H
H
Department of Neurology, Tohoku University School of Medicine.
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006945:Hyperhidrosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007007:Hypohidrosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation; D013545:Sweat Glands / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*