The diagnosis of neuropathic pruritus (NP) may be difficult. The aim of this study was to compare the characteristics of both neuropathic pruritus and non-neuropathic pruritus (NNP) in order to elaborate a tool to help the diagnosis of NP without clinical examination. One hundred and seven patients were included: Fifty three in the NP group and Fifty four in the NNP group. In multiple regression, presence of twinges, absence of burning, worsening with activity, no worsening with stress, and relief with cold ambient temperature were independent factors that were associated with NP. A score of two criteria out of five was optimal to discriminate NP from NNP with a sensitivity of 76% and a specificity of 77%. Alloknesis, hyperknesis, or the ice cube test were not included because their evaluation is based on clinical examination. Future high-powered studies are needed to confirm the results of the present study.

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Dear Editor, We present two patients, a 48-year-old woman, paraplegic since a childhood accident, and a 60year-old quadriplegic man with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. Physical examination showed purple papules on the dorsal surface of the toes and forefoot, which had first appeared 1 year previously. Doppler ultrasound of the lower extremities showed venous insufficiency, without arteriopathy. Histopathological examination (hematoxylin-eosin) 910 revealed fibrous dermis, an increased number of dilated ectatic vessels with nontypical endothelial cells (CD34 + and human herpesvirus-8 negative). Acroangiodermatitis or pseudo-Kaposi sarcoma is a rare and benign complication of chronic venous insufficiency. 1 Lower limb paralysis is a frequent promoting factor, 2 as in our patients with spinal cord neurological involvement.