General features and treatment of notalgia paresthetica.

Abstract

Notalgia paresthetica is a neurocutaneous disorder that most commonly manifests as pruritus and a brownish macula in the patient's upper back. Pain, burning, and paresthesias to a variable degree have also been reported. Although the physiopathology of notalgia paresthetica is still obscure, it is currently considered a sensory neuropathy caused by damage to the spinal nerves. To date, no definitive treatment has been described for this disorder. Alternatives, including physical therapies and topical, systemic, and intralesional drugs, have been tested with diverse results. A review of the current knowledge on notalgia paresthetica and its treatment is provided.