title: Complex regional pain syndrome post mastectomy.
abstract: Complex regional pain syndrome includes the previously termed condition reflex sympathetic dystrophy. It is a chronic pain disorder diagnosed on the basis of symptoms and skin changes and is known to have a psychological element. It is a rare complication after surgery, especially mastectomy. We present two females who developed this syndrome after undergoing mastectomy for chronic mastalgia. These cases demonstrate that amputation of an organ for chronic pain can result in reflex sympathetic dystrophy developing in a nearby limb.
authors.affiliation: Registrar in Rheumatology, Musgrave Park Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland. lorradam@wlink.com.np
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McGuigan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kerr
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Taggart
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy