Thermography imaging during static and controlled thermoregulation in complex regional pain syndrome type 1: diagnostic value and involvement of the central sympathetic system.
BACKGROUND
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome type 1 (CRPS1) is a clinical diagnosis based on criteria describing symptoms of the disease. The main aim of the present study was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of calculation methods used to assess thermographic images (infrared imaging) obtained during temperature provocation. The secondary objective was to obtain information about the involvement of the sympathetic system in CRPS1.


METHODS
We studied 12 patients in whom CRPS1 was diagnosed according to the criteria of Bruehl. High and low whole body cooling and warming induced and reduced sympathetic vasoconstrictor activity. The degree of vasoconstrictor activity in both hands was monitored using a videothermograph. The sensitivity and specificity of the calculation methods used to assess the thermographic images were calculated.


RESULTS
The temperature difference between the hands in the CRPS patients increases significantly when the sympathetic system is provoked. At both the maximum and minimum vasoconstriction no significant differences were found in fingertip temperatures between both hands.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of CRPS1 patients do not show maximal obtainable temperature differences between the involved and contralateral extremity at room temperature (static measurement). During cold and warm temperature challenges this temperature difference increases significantly. As a result a higher sensitivity and specificity could be achieved in the diagnosis of CRPS1. These findings suggest that the sympathetic efferent system is involved in CRPS1.
Niehof
Sjoerd P
SP
Department of Pain Treatment, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Dr, Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands. s.niehof@erasmusmc.nl
Huygen
Frank J P M
FJ
van der Weerd
Rick W P
RW
Westra
Mirjam
M
Zijlstra
Freek J
FJ
D000328:Adult; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation; D012881:Skin Temperature; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013817:Thermography / Q000379:methods*