Successful treatment of idiopathic Harlequin Syndrome with oxybutynin and propranolol

Harlequin syndrome (HS) is a rare entity derived from the dysfunction of the sympathetic nervous system. It is characterised by unilateral facial flushing and sweating induced by exercise, heat and emotion. Most cases are primary with an unknown pathogenic mechanism. In these cases, the prognosis is...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Australasian journal of dermatology 2021-11, Vol.62 (4), p.504-505
Main Authors: Naharro‐Fernández, Cristina, Quintana‐Sancho, Adrián, López‐Sundh, Ana Elizabet, Reguero‐del Cura, Leandra, Gónzalez‐López, Marcos A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Autonomic Nervous System Diseases - diagnosis
Autonomic Nervous System Diseases - drug therapy
Erythema
Female
Flushing - diagnosis
Flushing - drug therapy
harlequin syndrome
Humans
hyperhidrosis
Hypohidrosis - diagnosis
Hypohidrosis - drug therapy
Mandelic Acids - therapeutic use
Middle Aged
oxibutinine
Parasympatholytics - therapeutic use
Patients
propanolol
Propranolol
Propranolol - therapeutic use
Quality of life
Sweating
Sympathetic nervous system
Vasodilator Agents - therapeutic use
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Harlequin syndrome (HS) is a rare entity derived from the dysfunction of the sympathetic nervous system. It is characterised by unilateral facial flushing and sweating induced by exercise, heat and emotion. Most cases are primary with an unknown pathogenic mechanism. In these cases, the prognosis is favourable. Medical or surgical treatments are not usually required for idiopathic HS. However, symptomatic treatment may be indicated when symptoms affect the quality of life of patients. We present the case of a patient with idiopathic HS successfully treated with oxybutynin and propranolol. In this patient, a marked improvement in both hyperhidrosis and facial erythema was noted with this combined therapy. We consider it of interest to highlight the response of our patient to the treatment employed, which may be advantageous in future cases of this rare disorder.
ISSN:0004-8380
1440-0960
DOI:10.1111/ajd.13665