Brachioradial pruritus: a symptom of neuropathy.
BACKGROUND
Brachioradial pruritus (BRP) is a localized pruritus of the dorsolateral aspect of the arm. BRP is an enigmatic condition with a controversial cause; some authors consider BRP to be a photodermatosis whereas other authors attribute BRP to compression of cervical nerve roots.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to investigate the presence of neuropathy in patients with BRP.


METHODS
We performed electrophysiologic studies of the median, ulnar, and radial nerves in consecutive patients with BRP, including measurement of sensory and motor distal latency, conduction velocity and F responses of the median and ulnar nerves, and sensory distal latency of the radial nerves in both upper limbs.


RESULTS
Included in the study were 7 patients, 5 men and 2 women, with an average age of 58.3 years (range: 42-72 years). Of the patients, 4 (57%) had abnormal F responses that were diagnostic for cervical radiculopathy, and 3 of these patients had prolonged distal latencies of the nerves tested, which may be interpreted as sensory motor neuropathy secondary to chronic radiculopathy. The fourth patient had polyneuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus.


CONCLUSIONS
BRP may be attributed to a neuropathy, such as chronic cervical radiculopathy. The possibility of an underlying neuropathy should be considered in the evaluation and treatment of all patients with BRP.
Cohen
Arnon D
AD
Departments of Dermatology and Neurology, Soroka University Medical Center, Israel. arcohen@clalit.org
Masalha
Rafik
R
Medvedovsky
Evgeny
E
Vardy
Daniel A
DA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020423:Median Neuropathy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction; D011128:Polyradiculopathy / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020425:Radial Neuropathy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020424:Ulnar Neuropathies / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*