A Rare Cause of Neuropathic Pain in the Back: Notalgia Paresthetica.

Notalgia paresthetica (NP) is a neuropathy with unknown cause of thoracic spinal nerves T2-T6, particularly their dorsal branches. It is a chronic disease that can be seen among the elderly and females. Despite its unknown etiology, NP is thought to result from posterior spinal nerve impingement or chronic nerve trauma. In addition, increased dermal innervation and viscera-cutaneous reflex mechanisms are other mechanisms responsible for their chemical neurotoxicity. It is a clinical condition associated with a character of neuropathic pain, itching, and nonspecific skin lesions with brown pigment in both the dorsal vertebrae and scapular areas (1).