Loss of sensory function in patients with idiopathic hand dystonia.

Former studies suggest an additional involvement of the sensory nervous system, beside the involuntary contractions of antagonist muscles, in idiopathic hand dystonia. We studied contact heat-evoked potentials and quantitative sensory testing (QST) in 10 patients suffering from idiopathic hand dystonia and 10 age-matched healthy controls. Cortical potentials recorded from the vertex (Pz) after contact heat stimulation of the volar forearm and the dorsum of the hand at a temperature of 51°C showed significantly reduced A-δ-amplitudes.

Approach-related lesions of the sympathetic chain in anterior correction and instrumentation of idiopathic scoliosis.

During anterior scoliosis instrumentation with a dual-rod system, the vertebrae are dissected anterolaterally. After surgery, some patients report a change in temperature perception and perspiration in the lower extremities. Sympathetic lesions might be an explanation for this.