title: Reflex sympathetic dystrophies and algodystrophies: historical and pathogenic considerations.
abstract: This paper reviews the historical development of the concepts of 'sympathy' of organs and of the sympathetic nervous system. In particular, the afferent function of the sympathetic system is discussed. The attention is focussed on sympathetic reflex dystrophies, known in some European schools as 'algodystrophies'. The pathogenic mechanisms of these affections, especially of causalgia, are discussed, considering the importance of peripheral damage to nerves, lateralisation of pain, 'mirror phenomena', and the relationship between peripheral and central mechanisms of pain.
authors.affiliation: Cattedra di Terapia Medica Sistematica, Servizio di Algologia, Università di Firenze, 50134 FlorenceItaly.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Procacci
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maresca
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000503:physiopathology; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000266:history* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009626:Terminology as Topic