PhD defence: Peter Andreas Andersen
Refining the dermatomes: Pain and sensory disturbances in radiculopathy
Info about event
Time
Location
Auditorium J116-113, Aarhus University Hospital
On Friday 20 November 2026 at 14:00, Peter Andreas Andersen defends his PhD dissertation entitled “Refining the dermatomes: Pain and sensory disturbances in radiculopathy”.
Disease affecting the nerve roots, such as a herniated disc or degenerative changes, can cause pain radiating from the back into the arms or legs, as well as sensory disturbances. The distribution of pain and sensory disturbances is used to determine which nerve root is affected and can guide doctors in diagnosis and treatment. This relationship between nerve roots and areas of the body is shown in anatomy textbooks as dermatome maps, but the research on which these maps are based was mainly carried out in the 1930s and 1940s.
In his PhD project, Peter Andreas Andersen examined 112 patients with disease affecting the nerve roots and mapped pain and sensory disturbances in the arms or legs in order to refine the dermatome maps. The project shows that the areas where symptoms occur vary greatly from patient to patient, and that the areas for different nerve roots overlap considerably.
The results contribute to a better understanding of how nerve root involvement affects sensation and how the clinical examination of these patients can be improved.
The summary is written by the PhD student.
The defense is public and takes place at Auditorium J116-113, Aarhus University Hospital. Please see the press release for more information.
Contact
PhD student Peter Andreas Andersen
Email: pean@clin.au.dk
Phone: +45 22138350