Unilateral hyperhidrosis from a contralateral source in an individual with C4 complete tetraplegia

Abstract

Setting: Outpatient clinic of a spinal cord injury rehabilitation center.

Design: Case report.

Participant: A 40-year-old man with a 20-year history of C4 complete tetraplegia complained of 5 years of excessive intermittent left-sided sweating. The sweating occurred only in the seated upright position. There was no associated headache, blurred vision, or blood pressure variability.

Findings: When examined upright, the patient sweated excessively on the left face and body. When he was laid down, sweating ceased. Skin examination revealed intact ischial regions. Pressure applied to the right ischium for several minutes caused sweating to recur on the left forehead, but it then subsided with release of pressure. This phenomenon was repeatable. Local lidocaine injection in the subcutaneous tissues around the right ischium and subsequent use of lidocaine transdermal patches halted the contralateral sweating in the upright position. Pressure mapping analysis showed increased pressure in the region of the right ischial tuberosity. The patient's gel cushion was replaced with an air-filled cushion, providing significant ongoing relief from the hyperhidrosis.

Conclusion/clinical relevance: Unilateral hyperhidrosis can be caused by a contralateral source of irritation. Use of techniques that interrupt the afferent arm of the autonomic pathway may be effective in the management of hyperhidrosis in individuals with spinal cord injury.

Figure 1

Radiograph of the right hip revealing evidence of heterotopic ossification near the ischial tuberosity.