Unilateral Neurogenic Pruritus Following Intracranial Surgery

Itch is a frequent complaint reported by the patients and is usually ascribed to dermatological causes. Central neurogenic pruritus remains an under-recognized complication with an unclear etiology previously described in the patients with stroke or with an intramedullary mass of the spinal cord. We describe a case of a nine-year-old male who developed unilateral pruritus seven days after he underwent right hemicraniectomy due to ruptured arteriovenous malformation. The patient manifested a significant improvement in pruritus after starting gabapentin. This report highlights the need for having a high index of suspicion for central neurogenic pruritus in such patients.