X-ray bone densitometry in the diagnosis and followup of reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To establish bone involvement in reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS).


METHODS
Bone mineral density (BMD g/cm2) and bone mineral content (BMC g) were measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry. We studied 12 patients with phase I RSDS and 18 controls.


RESULTS
BMD and BMC were significantly lower in the involved side of patients (28.4 and 45.1%, respectively) compared with the contralateral normal limb. Controls only showed a minimal variation of 2.17% in BMD and 4.38% in BMC between right and left measures. The difference between patients and controls was highly significant (p < 0.001). A second measurement of BMD and BMC was made in 8 patients following treatment (prednisone or calcitonin) and showed increments in both variables, which was significant in the affected limbs (20.1%).


CONCLUSIONS
We believe that X-ray bone densitometry is a highly sensitive and specific technique to evaluate bone mass in patients with RSDS and aid in diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
Arriagada
M
M
Clinica de Reumatologia y Rehabilitacion, Santiago, Chile.
Arinoviche
R
R
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D015519:Bone Density; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000737:chemistry; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D018409:Foot Injuries; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D008903:Minerals; D002116:Calcitonin; D011241:Prednisone