Laboratory findings in reflex sympathetic dystrophy: a preliminary report.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of our study was to compare sudomotor and vasomotor indices in patients with clinical reflex sympathetic dystrophy.


METHODS
Vasomotor tone was determined by measuring skin blood flow with laser Doppler flowmeters and skin temperature by infrared thermometry. Resting and evoked sweat output was measured with the quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test. Control values were determined from studies on 223 normal subjects.


METHODS
The setting was a tertiary/academic medical center.


METHODS
There were 12 patients with clinical reflex sympathetic dystrophy in an extremity.


METHODS
These were skin vasomotor tone and evoked sweat output.


RESULTS
Resting sweat output asymmetry was seen in 67% of patients, quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test asymmetry was seen in 75%, and vasomotor changes in 80%. When sudomotor and vasomotor indices were combined, abnormalities were seen in all patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Laboratory quantitation of autonomic indices enhances the clinical evaluation of patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy.
Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905.
P A
PA
Low
P C
PC
Amadio
P R
PR
Wilson
P G
PG
McManis
C L
CL
Willner
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply; D012881:Skin Temperature / Q000502:physiology; D013546:Sweating / Q000502:physiology*