Asymmetrical autonomic dysfunction of the feet after retroperitoneal surgery in patients with testicular cancer: 2 case reports.
We report on 2 patients with hyperhidrosis and decreased temperature of the leg on the unoperated side after unilateral retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Both patients had a 4 to 5C difference in skin temperature of the feet, with the operated side being warm and dry compared to the nonoperated side. This condition is most likely due to a lesion of sympathetic fibers or ganglia located in close proximity to the retroperitoneal lymph nodes, resembling a unilateral lumbar sympathectomy. In addition, both patients had profuse sweating and a subjective feeling of coldness of the leg on the nonoperated side, which caused considerable discomfort. This latter phenomenon most likely represents a compensatory sympathetic hyperfunction due to the decreased sympathetic function in the other leg.
Heier
M S
MS
Department of Neurology, Ulleval University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Aass
N
N
Ous
S
S
Fosså
S D
SD
D000328:Adult; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000293:injuries; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D007866:Leg / Q000294:innervation*; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space; D013546:Sweating; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*