Abstract
We report a case of paroxysmal itching related to syringomyelia with Chiari malformation. A 16-year-old female was admitted with the chief complaint of pain in her right upper extremity. MRI showed a syringomyelia between the C2 and T5 vertebrae levels. The patient underwent foramen magnum decompression (FMD). After the operation, her pain improved. MRI showed a decrease in the size of the syrinx. However, she continued to complain of paroxysmal itching without any eruptions in her right upper extremity. The area of itching was the same as the area that had demonstrated pain. She could not tolerate the urge to claw and scratch this itching area even though such scratching caused no relief of itching. She complained of no pain and no itching at two years after surgery. MRI showed a further decrease in the size of the syrinx. Although paroxysmal itching associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) is well known, it has not been thought that itching is associated with neurological problems. Based on the similar characteristics of itching between syringomyelia and MS, the pathomechanism of itching of syringomyelia may be similar to that of MS. Itching caused by syringomyelia may be a neurological symptom.
