Ross syndrome: Treatment of segmental compensatory hyperhidrosis by a modified iontophoretic device

Abstract

In 1958 the triad of tonic pupils, areflexia (Holmes-Adie syndrome), and hypohidrosis was first described by Ross. Since then more than 15 patients with a similar condition have been described. Two cases with the typical triad in combination with associated autonomic dysfunctions are presented. Subjectively, the most disturbing symptom is segmental compensatory hyperhidrosis, which results from widespread hypohidrosis or anhidrosis. For treatment of hyperhidrosis, tap water iontophoresis was applied using a modified technique with special electrodes. In both patients the hyperhidrosis was relieved after 20 treatments.