title: Pseudodystrophy. A conversion disorder mimicking reflex sympathetic dystrophy.
abstract: The authors suggest some criteria by which pseudodystrophy and reflex sympathetic dystrophy, although sharing some similar clinical features, can be distinguished as two different conditions, each requiring its own approach and management. The most important distinction is found on bone scintigraphy. In reflex sympathetic dystrophy the bone scan shows a typical increased tracer uptake (at least during stages I and II); in pseudodystrophy there is a normal or decreased tracer uptake in the affected region. Moreover the vascularization is increased in reflex sympathetic dystrophy stage I, whereas in pseudodystrophy hypovascularization is found from the beginning. The clinical features, as well as the results of technical investigations, psychological evaluation and treatment of 4 patients with pseudodystrophy are presented. The importance of distinguishing this condition from reflex sympathetic dystrophy is stressed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Hospital Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10, B-2650 Edegem, Belgium.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Driessens
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Blockx
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Geuens
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dijs
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Verheyen
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stassijns
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003291:Conversion Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D013577:Syndrome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents