Radiographic changes in algodystrophy of the hand.
It is not certain to what extent the radiographic features of post-traumatic algodystrophy can be differentiated from disuse atrophy following trauma. A semi-quantitative scoring system has been devised, grading the dominant features seen on radiography in both conditions following Colles' fracture. The technique had intra- and inter-observer errors of 14% and 17% respectively. When applied prospectively 7 weeks after Colles' fractures, there was a significantly greater score in patients with algodystrophy (p less than 0.001) than those without. Analysis of the scores was performed to identify a score for the optimal identification of algodystrophy. At a score of four or greater, 87.5% of patients with algodystrophy were positively identified with a positive predictive value of 83%. It is suggested that use of this scoring system will aid in the early diagnosis of algodystrophy.
Bickerstaff
D R
DR
Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield.
O'Doherty
D P
DP
Kanis
J A
JA
D001284:Atrophy; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000473:pathology; D003100:Colles' Fracture / Q000150:complications*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012372:ROC Curve; D011859:Radiography; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity