ACQUIRED IDIOPATHIC GENERALIZED ANHIDROSIS WITH ISOLATED SUDOMOTOR NEUROPATHY

The pathogenesis and underlying lesion of acquired idiopathic generali zed anhidrosis (AIGA) are apparently heterogeneous. We report a patien t with AIGA in whom the eccrine glands were histologically normal. How ever, electron microscopic examination showed markedly low numbers of nerve terminals and unmyelinated axons associated with the eccrine gla nds. Our laboratory investigations suggest that degeneration of postga nglionic sympathetic cholinergic nerve may be the underlying pathogene tic mechanism of anhidrosis in this patient.