title: Analysis of patterns of three-phase bone scintigraphy for patients with complex regional pain syndrome diagnosed using the proposed research criteria (the 'Budapest Criteria').
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Three-phase bone scintigraphy (TPBS) is an established objective diagnostic method for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), but its validity remains controversial. The aims of this study were: (i) to re-evaluate the diagnostic performance of TPBS, and (ii) to suggest new TPBS criteria based on the proposed research criteria for CPRS in Budapest (the 2003 Budapest research criteria).
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records of 228 consecutive patients, evaluated using the Budapest research criteria, were retrospectively analysed. Of these, 116 patients were included in the present study, and 69 of 116 were diagnosed to have CRPS based on these criteria. The diagnostic performance of TPBS was assessed by determining its sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios, and new criteria for TPBS were identified by pattern analysis using the Budapest research criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio of TPBS for the diagnosis of CRPS according to the Budapest research criteria were 40.0, 76.5, 1.73, and 0.78, respectively. Furthermore, D-D-D, D-D-S, and D-D-I patterns [i.e. according to decreased (D), symmetrical (S), or increased (I) tracer uptake during Phases I, II, and III] of TPBS were found to be positively predictive for CRPS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diagnostic value of a positive TPBS for CRPS is low from the view point of the Budapest research criteria. Our findings suggest that a diagnosis of CRPS using the Budapest research criteria should be considered when decreased patterns of TPBS are observed during Phases I and II.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine,  Seoul National University Hospital, 110 Daehang-ro, Jongno-gu, 110-744 Seoul,  Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Y C
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: F S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Nahm
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Oh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020918:Complex Regional Pain Syndromes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity