title: Meta-analysis of imaging techniques for the diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome type I.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effectiveness of imaging techniques in aiding and confirming the diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type I.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies that evaluated the effectiveness of 3 different imaging techniques in aiding the diagnosis of CRPS type I. A systematic search in bibliographical databases resulted in 24 studies with 1,916 participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  To determine the effectiveness of each imaging technique, we determined the average specificity, sensitivity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value and then statistically compared them using the analysis of variance statistical test, which indicated that compared with magnetic resonance imaging and plain film radiography, triple-phase bone scan had a significantly better sensitivity and negative predictive values. However, there appeared to be no statistical significance between imaging techniques when we evaluated specificity and positive predictive value using the analysis of variance test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this meta-analysis support the use of triple-phase bone scan in ruling out CRPS type I, owing to its greater sensitivity and higher negative predictive value than both magnetic resonance imaging and plain film radiography.
  
  
  METHODS
  Diagnostic I.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA. zjcapp01@louisville.edu
authors.forename: Zachary J
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Cappello
authors.forename: Morton L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Kasdan
authors.forename: Dean S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Louis
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011859:Radiography; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies