The clenched fist syndrome. A psychiatric syndrome mimicking reflex sympathetic dystrophy.
We describe a patient with swelling and pain in his right hand, which persisted for 1 year after minimal trauma. We think this represents a case of "clenched fist syndrome," a conversion disorder with unique somatic features that is easily mistaken for reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome. Included is a comparison of other psychological illnesses in which unusual physical findings involve the hand.
Swift
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DW
Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital, Columbia, Missouri.
Walker
S E
SE
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005162:Factitious Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000175:diagnosis*