Paroxysmal episodic central thermoregulatory failure.
A 51-year-old man presenting with paroxysmal attacks of unilateral sweating for 1 year was studied. Clinical and laboratory findings made the diagnosis of Shapiro or Harlequin syndrome unlikely. The onset of the sweating "crisis" was immediately followed by a progressive decrease in rectal and skin temperature, lasting for about 2 hours. This indicated that hypothermia was related to an abnormal downward shift of the thermoregulatory set point and a delayed effect of mechanisms blocking heat dissipation.
Magnifico
F
F
Institute of Neurology, University of Bologna, Italy.
Pierangeli
G
G
Barletta
G
G
Candela
C
C
Montagna
P
P
Bonavina
G
G
Cortelli
P
P
D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D013546:Sweating / Q000502:physiology*; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D013577:Syndrome