Familial brachioradial pruritus.
BACKGROUND
The cause of brachioradial pruritus (a localized itching on the arms or shoulders) is controversial. A hereditary form of this condition has not been reported.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the occurrence of brachioradial pruritus in several members of one family.


METHODS
The pedigree of the three generations and the history of brachioradial pruritus was outlined. Four sisters were investigated by radiography of the cervical spine.


RESULTS
Five sisters and one brother, together with five of their daughters suffered from recurring brachioradial pruritus. The sisters had had occupations requiring heavy lifting, spent much time outdoors and exposed themselves extensively to the sun. Several complained of neck pain and cervical radiographs of four of them indicated arthrosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Spinal disease alone cannot explain the symptoms of brachioradial pruritus, which in our patients was characterized by symptom-free periods broken off by relapse late in the summer each year. The pedigree suggests this hereditary form of brachioradial pruritus to be dominant and possibly X-linked.
Wallengren
J
J
Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, SE-221 85 Lund, Sweden. Joanna.Wallengren@derm.lu.se
Dahlbäck
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010375:Pedigree; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D011859:Radiography; D012008:Recurrence; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects