title: Segmental reflex sympathetic dystrophy: clinical and scintigraphic criteria.
abstract: Clinical and scintigraphic criteria are proposed for the diagnosis of segmental reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Eight patients met previously described clinical criteria for reflex sympathetic dystrophy with involvement limited to only a portion of the hand. The delayed phase of the three-phase radionuclide bone scan was found to be highly sensitive (100%) for this small group of patients. Consecutive bone scans (n = 127) performed during a 6-month period for a variety of upper extremity problems were reviewed, and a segmentally diffuse pattern of tracer uptake was found to be highly specific (98%) for segmental reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Recognition and documentation of a more localized form of reflex sympathetic dystrophy will allow earlier recognition and treatment, which is an important factor in a successful outcome for managing pain dysfunction disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand Surgery, Raymond M. Curtis Hand Center, Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Kline
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Holder
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity