A Case of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome.

Jeong,  Kyeng Jung; Choi,  Bong Seok; Kim,  Byung Ju; Woo,  Young Jong; Ma,  Jae Sook

Case Report

Journal of the Korean Child Neurology Society 2000;8(2):319-323.
Published online December 30, 2000.

A Case of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome.

Kyeng Jung Jeong, Bong Seok Choi, Byung Ju Kim, Young Jong Woo, Jae Sook Ma

Department of Pediatrics, Chonnam National University Medical School, Kwangju, Korea.

Abstract

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS) is a well-recognized disorder in adult group. But it is rarely diagnosed in the pediatric age group. RSDS is often a response to a physical or an emotional distress. Diagnosis of RSDS is made on a clinical basis whenever a patient with a painful limb presenting two or more of the following signs and symptoms : Persistent pain and swelling, vasomotor instability, trophic skin changes in the same extremity and autonomic imbalance. We report a case of RSDS in a 14- year-old girl. Her left arm was cold, edematous and blue with a limited active range of movement. Bone scan and thermography showed abnormal findings in affected arm. Prednisolone therapy, 60mg/day, was started. She also received sympathetic blocks and conservative treatment with physical therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, psychological therapy and anti-depressants. She showed gradual improvement in symptoms and signs.

Key Words: Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome, Thermography, Prednisone