Scalp Dysesthesia Related to Cervical Spine Disease

November 2012 in “ JAMA Dermatology ”

Laura A. Thornsberry, Joseph C. English

scalp dysesthesia cervical spine disease degenerative disk disease gabapentin Neurontin

TLDR Most women with weird scalp feelings had neck spine problems, and some got better with gabapentin treatment.

In a 2013 retrospective review, 15 women with scalp dysesthesia, a condition marked by abnormal scalp sensations, were studied. The majority, 14 patients, had cervical spine disease, particularly degenerative disk disease at C5-C6, suggesting a possible link between scalp dysesthesia and cervical spine issues. Treatment with gabapentin was recommended to most patients, and of the 7 who followed up, 4 experienced symptom improvement. The findings indicate that gabapentin could be beneficial for scalp dysesthesia, but the study's small sample size and incomplete follow-up data highlight the need for larger, more comprehensive studies.

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