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PubMed1983

Clinical effects of regional intravenous guanethidine (Ismelin) in reflex sympathetic dystrophy.

Twenty patients with documented reflex sympathetic dystrophy were treated with a series of regional intravenous guanethidine blocks. The mean delay between the first clinical symptoms and the start of guanethidine blocks was 3.6 months. The overall result was good in 11 patients, moderate in two patients and poor in seven patients. Poor results are due mainly to incorrect diagnosis and to application either too late in the third phase or too early in the first phase when only signs of increased blood flow are part of the symptomatology. Side effects, except pain after the injection, were few and of minor importance. The tolerance of the procedure may be improved by preceding the injection of guanethidine by an injection of a local anaesthetic agent. It may be concluded that with correct diagnosis and indication, guanethidine injections may play an important part in the treatment of reflex sympathetic dystrophy and may replace sympathetic blocks with local anaesthetics because of the longer duration of action and lower incidence of serious side-effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Two unique shoulder disorders. Adhesive capsulitis and reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome.

Adhesive capsulitis and reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome are unique, but not rare, shoulder disorders that occur most often in persons over 50 who have experienced recent trauma. Although the etiology and nature of the disorders are not fully understood, therapy is often effective when instituted early. Adhesive capsulitis is a self-limited disorder, and patients usually recover in time. Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome, however, can cause serious impairment if not treated promptly. Early mobilization of persons at risk may help reduce the incidence of the disorders.

Humans↗
PubMed1994

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy of the Knee.

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) of the knee frequently does not present with the classic combination of signs and symptoms seen in the upper extremity. Pain out of proportion to the initial injury is the hallmark symptom. Symptom relief by sympathetic block is the current standard for confirmation of the diagnosis. Because invasive diagnostic procedures, such as arthroscopy, are likely to increase symptoms, evaluation with a noninvasive diagnostic modality, such as magnetic resonance imaging, is preferred. Generally, RSD should be treated before surgical intervention to correct any underlying intra-articular pathologic condition. However, surgery may sometimes be necessary before RSD symptoms resolve; in these cases, use of intra- and postoperative continuous epidural block can be successful. The initial treatment of RSD of short duration should be conservative; physical therapy modalities, including exercise and contrast baths, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are indicated. In the authors' experience, an indwelling epidural block using bupivacaine for several days followed by use of a narcotic agent, combined with functional rehabilitation, is the most effective management when noninvasive treatment has failed. Surgical sympathectomy can be successful, but should be reserved until repeated lumbar sympathetic block or more than one trial of inpatient epidural block has failed. Early diagnosis and early institution of treatment (prior to 6 months) are the most favorable prognostic indicators in the management of RSD.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1982

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy in children.

Six patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy were investigated during the period between 1973 and 1978. Children do not develop the severe, disabling pain nor the patchy osteoporosis (Sudeck's atrophy) which are considered essential features of reflex sympathetic dystrophy in adults. In contrast to the adult variety, reflex sympathetic dystrophy in children is a self-limiting condition which usually responds well to mild analgesics and physical therapy. Frequently it may be necessary to administer the physical therapy in an intensive, inpatient program, both to break the pain-disability cycle and to remove the patient from a stressful family environment that may have initiated or prolonged the syndrome. The use of steroids (dexamethasone) had no appreciable effect on the clinical course in these children.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Reflex sympathetic dystrophy].

OBJECTIVE: To describe eight patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy in terms of clinical and laboratory characteristics and treatment. DESCRIPTION: Eight children (four girls) with reflex sympathetic dystrophy were retrospectively analyzed. The diagnosis of reflex sympathetic dystrophy was based on the presence of pain in the distal extremities, local edema, vasomotor instability and impairment of sensibility. Two patients had associated systemic lupus erythematosus, one had juvenile idiopathic arthritis and one had Glanzmanńs thrombasthenia. Mean age was 11.5 years. Most of the patients had lower extremity involvement (7/8). The most important clinical signs were pain, edema and vasomotor instability in the affected extremity (8/8), functional impairment (7/8), and impaired sensibility (3/7). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was abnormal in three patients and the bone scans in five. All patients received non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and physical therapy with improvement of the symptoms in seven patients, until six months of treatment. Three patients were submitted to acupuncture with good response. One patient had a severe disease and received tricyclic antidepressants, with improvement more than one year after. COMMENTS: Reflex sympathetic dystrophy should be included as part of the differential diagnosis of limb pains of childhood, so that physicians can make an earlier diagnosis and prevent functional impairment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Intrathecal baclofen for the treatment of dystonia in patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy (also known as the complex regional pain syndrome) may have dystonia, which is often unresponsive to treatment. Some forms of dystonia respond to the intrathecal administration of baclofen, a specific gamma-aminobutyric acid-receptor (type B) agonist that inhibits sensory input to the neurons of the spinal cord. We evaluated this treatment in seven women who had reflex sympathetic dystrophy with multifocal or generalized tonic dystonia. First, we performed a double-blind, randomized, controlled crossover trial of bolus intrathecal injections of 25, 50, and 75 microg of baclofen and placebo. Changes in the severity of dystonia were assessed by the woman and by an investigator after each injection. In the second phase of the study, six of the women received a subcutaneous pump for continuous intrathecal administration of baclofen and were followed for 0.5 to 3 years. RESULTS: In six women, bolus injections of 50 and 75 microg of baclofen resulted in complete or partial resolution of focal dystonia of the hands but little improvement in dystonia of the legs. During continuous therapy, three women regained normal hand function, and two of these three women regained the ability to walk (one only indoors). In one woman who received continuous therapy, the pain and violent jerks disappeared and the dystonic posturing of the arm decreased. In two women the spasms or restlessness of the legs decreased, without any change in the dystonia. CONCLUSIONS: In some patients, the dystonia associated with reflex sympathetic dystrophy responds markedly to intrathecal baclofen.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy in hemiplegia.

There is a high incidence of reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the upper limbs in patients with hemiplegia, and its painful and functional consequences present a problem to specialists in physical medicine and rehabilitation. This study was designed to assess the role of several factors in the occurrence of reflex sympathetic dystrophy in patients with hemiplegia. Ninety-five consecutive stroke patients (63 male and 32 female, mean age 59+/-12 years) admitted to our hospital were evaluated. Of the study group, 29 patients (30.5%) were found to develop reflex sympathetic dystrophy. There were no significant differences between the hemiplegic patient groups with or without reflex sympathetic dystrophy regarding age, gender, etiology, side of involvement, disease duration and the presence of comorbidities. The recovery stages of hemiplegia, as shown by Brunnstrom functional classification, were significantly different between the two groups; patients in lower recovery stages tended to develop reflex sympathetic dystrophy more frequently (P<0.01). Additionally, the presence of flaccidity was also a significant factor in the development of reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Glenohumeral subluxation was present in 37 patients (38.9%) in our study group and the presence of this complication was related to the occurrence of reflex sympathetic dystrophy. The presence of glenohumeral subluxation was significantly higher in patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy (21/29, 72.4%) when compared to the patients without reflex sympathetic dystrophy (16/66, 24.2%) (P<0.001). Also, hemiplegic patients with more severe shoulder subluxation were significantly more likely to develop reflex sympathetic dystrophy. These results suggest that lower recovery stages, reduced tonus and glenohumeral subluxation significantly contribute to the occurrence of reflex sympathetic dystrophy in the hemiplegic patient. We believe that preventive and treatment measures should consider these factors as they seem to have in common a higher risk of traumatizing the paralyzed upper limb and causing reflex sympathetic dystrophy.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Urological symptomatology in patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy.

PURPOSE: We determined the effect of reflex sympathetic dystrophy on lower urinary tract function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 consecutive patients (16 women and 4 men) with neurologically verified reflex sympathetic dystrophy was referred for voiding symptoms, including urgency, frequency, incontinence and urinary retention. No patient had had voiding symptoms before the initial trauma that induced reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Evaluation included medical history, physical examination, video urodynamic testing and cystoscopy. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 43.4 +/- 10.2 years (range 28 to 58) and mean duration of urological symptoms was 4.9 +/- 3.6 years (range 1 to 14). Urodynamic study demonstrated a mean cystometric bladder capacity of 417 +/- 182 ml. (range 120 to 700). The urodynamic diagnoses included detrusor hyperreflexia in 8 patients, detrusor areflexia in 8, sensory urgency in 3 and detrusor hyperreflexia with detrusor-external sphincter dyssynergia in 1. In 4 women genuine stress urinary incontinence was also documented urodynamically. CONCLUSIONS: Reflex sympathetic dystrophy may have a profound effect on detrusor and sphincter function.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

The reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome. An experimental study of sympathetic reflex control of subcutaneous blood flow in the hand.

Adrenergic sympathetic vasoconstrictor activity in subcutaneous tissue on the back of the hand was studied in 13 patients suffering from reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome. Subcutaneous blood flow was measured by the local 133Xe wash-out technique with simultaneous measurements on the healthy side as a control. The results indicated an increased subcutaneous blood flow in the affected hand compared with the control side. Proximal nervous blockade caused only a slight, 35% increase in subcutaneous blood flow on the affected side, whereas an increase of 122% was registered on the control side. Augmented sympathetic vasoconstrictor activity elicited by the local veno-arteriolar axon reflex mechanism or centrally elicited by head-up tilt caused an equal degree of arteriolar vasoconstriction in both hands. The results suggest that sympathetic vasomotor tone during resting conditions is reduced in the affected hand in patients with the reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Abnormal bone scintigraphy and silent radiography in localized reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome.

Typical, definite forms of the reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome present no diagnostic problems, but the diagnosis of localized or very localized forms is very difficult. In the absence of characteristic roentgenographic evidence of acute, patchy, bony demineralization in the affected extremity, scintigraphy has proven to be a valuable examination. A retrospective analysis of 6 patients with a partial form of reflex sympathetic dystrophy with negative roentgenogram results who were evaluated by bone scintigraphy is presented. In the initial clinical stages, the predominant scintigraphic pattern was a very localized and intense hyperactivity in the internal femoral condyle and/or tibial plate of the affected joint on both blood pool and static images. The increased periarticular activity showed a marked decrease in association with remission of the clinical symptoms. In conclusion, bone scintigraphy was found to be a useful tool in the diagnosis and assessment of the therapeutic response genograms and increased periarticular radionuclide activity on scintigrams in the affected extremity are characteristic findings (Intenzo et al. 1989). Cases of reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome involving the hip (Lequesne and Mauger 1982) and the knee (Doury et al. 1987) have been reported, although the diagnosis at these sites is more difficult due to the absence of characteristic external signs. Localized or very localized forms of reflex sympathetic dystrophy (mainly involving the knee) with no radiological abnormalities throughout the course of the disease have been documented (Doury et al. 1979; Doury 1982). In these cases, bone scintigraphs proved to be a valuable examination to confirm the diagnosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1996

[Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome associated with phenobarbital].

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS) is clinically characterized by pain and edema of one or more extremities, trophic skin changes and vasomotor instability. Although the pathogenesis is unknown, it could be caused by an abnormal reflex of the sympathetic nervous system. Different studies haven't yet confirmed the classical division in three clinical phases (warm, of vasomotor instability and cold). Barbiturates are the precipitating event in 10-30% of cases. We describe the clinical features of a patient with RSDS associated with phenobarbital who needed corticosteroid treatment. The Technetium diphosphate bone scan (Tc 99m DPD) is very useful because there is an increased radionuclide uptake in the involved areas during the early phases of the disease and precedes in some weeks the radiologic signs. The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) may be useful because of the early signs it shows. The patient may develop contractures and atrophy of the involved extremities in spite of the indispensable withdrawal of the drug.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the lower extremity.

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) is a complex syndrome of pain, trophic changes, and vasomotor instability secondary to an abnormal hyperactive state of the sympathetic nervous system following injury to an extremity. Numerous theories have been proposed to explain the pathophysiology. None is universally accepted. The diagnosis of RSD is complicated because some patients improve without treatment, whereas others develop intractable symptoms even after the injury has healed. A delay in diagnosis and/or treatment for this syndrome can result in severe physical and psychological problems. Early recognition and prompt treatment, i.e., sympathetic blockade and physical therapy, provide the greatest opportunity for a successful outcome.

Humans↗
PubMed1998

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy precipitated by brachial plexitis.

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy is believed to involve overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system and it is associated with a large number of causes, mainly with local trauma, nevertheless brachial plexitis (neuralgic amyotrophy) was reported in only four patients by previous authors. We describe a new case in this report. The reinnervation sprouting of somatic nerve fibres can have abnormal sodium channels which can acquire ectopic pacemaker activity which can be stimulated by sympathetic efferent impulses, in this way the reinnervation period after a severe plexitis can be associated with an increased risk of this complication. The neurologist must be aware of this association to guide the affected patient to a correct treatment.

Brachial Plexus Neuritis↗
PubMed1992

[Localized disturbance of autonomic nervous system--reflex sympathetic dystrophy].

Clinical aspects of the reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) are summarized, along with a review of basic works concerning its pathophysiology. RSD is important not only as a cause of limb pain after trauma and other triggers, but also as a cause aggravating the pain which already has an apparent cause, but is disproportionally severe.

Humans↗
PubMed1994

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome: a longitudinal study.

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome is a multi-symptom, multi-system syndrome which affects all age groups with the common, overriding complaint of severe, unrelenting, burning pain. Affecting millions worldwide, the illness trajectory is poorly understood. A large longitudinal patient study has yielded important preliminary findings, which have implications for nurses caring for a variety of patients in pain.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome: two case studies.

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS) is a multisymptom, disabling disease that can involve peripheral nerve, muscle, bone, blood vessel and skin changes. Pain is the only common denominator among all patients. Two cases presented in this article describe patients with RSDS and demonstrate differences in symptoms and patient response. One treatment modality for RSDS is the stellate ganglion block, performed in the PACU by the anesthesiologist. Important postanesthesia nursing assessment parameters after this procedure are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome of one finger.

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS) is a common but often unrecognized syndrome. It usually affects a leg or arm but may also be limited to parts of the extremity. We report a case of a 48-year-old patient who developed RSDS of only one finger. Especially, a limited form may delay recognition and therapy of a disease which can be treated successfully in an early phase.

Bone Density↗