title: [Diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic algodystrophy].
abstract: Algodystrophy (reflex sympathetic dystrophy, Sudeck's atrophy) is a clinical syndrome, developing in most cases as a consequence of trauma and characterized by pain, swelling, tenderness, vascular and sudomotor instability trophic changes of the skin and stiffness. There are several controversial issues concerning algodystrophy in the literature: incidence of the condition (from 0.03% to 95% in various studies), the value of the diagnostic tests in its recognizing and efficacy of the various methods of the treatment. The causes of these discrepancies were discussed: various diagnostic criteria, its unrestricted use by authors and specificity of the natural history of the condition were considered as the main reasons. The features of algodystrophy and its importance in recognizing of the disorder were described in detail; the diagnostic value of the radiographic, static and dynamic scintigraphic examination and diagnostic sympathetic block were also discussed. Several clinical classifications of algodystrophy were presented; the usefulness of these classifications in providing more accurate assessment of the clinical groups and in facilitating of comparison between studies were underlined.
authors.affiliation: Kliniki Chirurgii Ogólnej i Chirurgii Reki Pomorskiej Akademii Medycznej w Szczecinie.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zyluk
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000175:diagnosis*