Segmental hyperhidrosis as a manifestation of spinal and paraspinal disease.

BACKGROUND Segmental hyperhidrosis is an uncommon finding which is usually associated with irritation or infiltration of pre-ganglionic sympathetic fibres or the sympathetic chain. METHODS We report two cases of segmental hyperhidrosis with striking clinical features. RESULTS In one case, a mesothelioma produced ipsilateral simultaneous underactivity and overactivity of sympathetic outflow and in the other case a thoracic central disc herniation was probably responsible for a band of sweating which clearly extended beyond the segmental level of injury. CONCLUSION Segmental hyperhidrosis should trigger a search for structural disease in the spinal and paraspinal region.