Segmental reflex sympathetic dystrophy: clinical and scintigraphic criteria

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Kline SC. Holder LE. Department of Hand Surgery, Raymond M. Curtis Hand Center, Union Memorial Comment in: J Hand Surg [Am] 1994 Sep;19(5):884-6 Clinical and scintigraphic criteria are proposed for the diagnosis of Á segmental reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Eight patients met previously  described clinical criteria for reflex sympathetic dystrophy with involvement limited to only a portion of the hand. The delayed phase of the three-phase radionuclide bone scan was found to be highly sensitive (100%) for this small group of patients. Consecutive bone scans (n = 127) performed during a 6-month period for a variety of upper extremity problems were reviewed, and a segmentally diffuse pattern of tracer uptake was found to be highly specific (98%) for segmental reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Recognition and documentation of a more localized form of reflex sympathetic dystrophy will allow earlier recognition and treatment, which is an important factor in a successful outcome for managing pain dysfunction disorders. *