2–4 mm diameter hypo/depigmented dermal spots: ? Objective sign of somatic origin pain

Abstract

It is known that somatic nerves are affected by pathological changes occurring in the corresponding intervertebral discs. However, there is as yet no serological test or biomarker to diagnose disc pathology. A recurring observation in patients reporting to the Pain Clinic was the presence of discrete, 2-4 mm in diameter, hypo/de-pigmented spots on the skin. Is there a probable explanation to the occurrence and location of these hypo/depigmented spots? When co-related to the MRI of the spine, these spots (KD Spots) were frequently seen to lie in the dermatome corresponding to the degenerated intervertebral disc. Based on the experimental and clinical reports in scientific literature and the observation of the author a hypothesis to explain the presence of the hypo/depigmented spots in relation to degenerated intervertebral discs is proposed.

Keywords

• Hypopigmented spots
• KD spots
• objective sign
• somatome