title: Mast cells: a new target in the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome?
abstract: There is convincing evidence that inflammation plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Besides inflammation, central sensitization is also an important phenomenon. Mast cells are known to be involved in the inflammatory process of CRPS and also play a role (at least partially) in the process of central sensitization. In the development of a more mechanism-based treatment, influencing the activity of mast cells might be important in the treatment of CRPS. We describe the rationale for using medication that counteracts the effects of mast cells in the treatment of CRPS.
authors.affiliation: Center for Pain Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Maaike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dirckx
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Groeneweg
authors.forename: Paul L A
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: van Daele
authors.forename: Dirk L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Stronks
authors.forename: Frank J P M
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Huygen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D059333:Central Nervous System Sensitization / Q000276:immunology; D020918:Complex Regional Pain Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents
keywords: complex regional pain syndromes; cytokines; mast cells; pathophysiology; treatment