Harlequin syndrome

Common card · No. 421462

Harlequin syndrome, also known as "harlequin sign", is a condition characterized by asymmetric sweating and flushing on the upper thoracic region of the chest, neck and face. Harlequin syndrome is considered an injury to the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS controls some of the body's natural processes such as sweating, skin flushing and pupil response to stimuli. Individuals with this syndrome have an absence of sweat skin flushing unilaterally, usually on one side of the face, arms and chest. It is an autonomic disorder that may occur at any age. Symptoms associated with Harlequin syndrome are more likely to appear under the following conditions: vigorous exercise, warm environments and intense emotional situations. Since one side of the body sweats and flushes appropriately to the condition, the other side of the body will have an absence of such symptoms. Harlequin syndrome can alternatively be the outcome of a one-sided endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) or endoscopic sympathetic...

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