Skip to main content

Successful thoracoscopic sympathectomy for primary erythromelalgia in the upper extremities

The Japanese Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery volume 52, pages 524–526 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

Erythromelalgia is known as a rare syndrome of unknown etiology, characterized by redness with burning pain, edema associated with increased skin temperature in the upper and/or lower extremities. Various treatments such as drug therapies and sympathetic blockade were reported. We report two cases including a 57-year-old woman and a 64-year-old woman, showing the successful clinical outcome by bilateral thoracoscopic sympathectomy.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  1. Mitchell SW. On a rare vaso-motor neurosis of the extremities, and on the maladies with which it may be confounded. Am J Med Sci 1878; 76: 17–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Smith LA, Allen EV. Erythermalgia (erythromelalgia) of the extremities: A syndrome characterized by redness, heart, and pain. Am Heart J 1938; 16: 175–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Catchpole BN. Erythromelalgia. Lancet 1964; 42: 909–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Landry GJ, Edwards JM, Porter JM. Current management of Raynaud’s syndrome. Adv Surg 1996; 30: 333–47.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Shiga T, Sakamoto A, Koizumi K, Ogawa R. Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy for primary erythromelalgia in the upper extremities. Anesth Analg 1999; 88: 865–6.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Davis MD, O’Fallon WM, Rogers RS 3rd, Rooke TW. Natural history of erythromelalgia: Presentation and outcome in 168 patients. Arch Dermatol 2000; 136: 330–6.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Kalgaard OM, Seem E, Kvernebo K. Erythromelalgia: A clinical study of 87 cases. J Intern Med 1997; 242: 191–7.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery II, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, 113-8603, Tokyo, Japan

    Yuki Nakajima MD, Kiyoshi Koizumi MD, Tomomi Hirata MD, Kyoji Hirai MD, Atsuhiro Sakamoto MD & Kazuo Shimizu MD

Authors
  1. Yuki Nakajima MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kiyoshi Koizumi MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Tomomi Hirata MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Kyoji Hirai MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Atsuhiro Sakamoto MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Kazuo Shimizu MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Nakajima, Y., Koizumi, K., Hirata, T. et al. Successful thoracoscopic sympathectomy for primary erythromelalgia in the upper extremities. Jpn J Thorac Caridovasc Surg 52, 524–526 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11748-004-0003-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11748-004-0003-5

Key words

  • primary erythromelalgia
  • sympathectomy
  • thoracoscopic surgery