title: Localized pruritus: a presenting symptom of a spinal cord tumor in a child with features of neurofibromatosis.
abstract: Central nervous system (CNS) and spinal cord tumors are not uncommon in patients with neurofibromatosis (NF); however, it is impossible to select patients with NF who are at a particularly high risk. Localized pruritus may be a clue to the presence of a spinal cord or CNS tumor. This is the first report of an infant with features of NF, whose presenting symptom of a spinal cord tumor was localized symmetrical dermatomal itch. Moreover, we review the literature of localized pruritus in CNS and spinal cord tumors and peripheral nervous system conditions.
authors.affiliation: Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: N D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Kanigsberg
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Jimenez
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D017253:Neurofibromatoses / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology*; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery