Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

This patient had a long-standing immobilization due to a fracture of the right humerus. The appearances in the right hand are classical for reflex sympathetic dystrophy, or Sudeck’s atrophy, and include:
1. Pronounced demineralization of the bones, particularly in the periarticular region.
2. No joint involvement.
3. Associated soft tissue atrophy.
This condition has been recently renamed the “complex regional pain syndrome”.
Reference : Kozin F, Soin JS, Ryan LM, Carrera GF, Wortmann RL. Bone scintigraphy in the reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome. Radiology 1981; 138:437-443
Credit: Dr Abhijit Datir
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