Quantitative Measurement of Three Phase Bone Scintigraphy in Stroke Patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Hong, Joon Beom; Han, Tai Ryoon; Kim, Dai Youl; Kim, Il Soo; Lee, Jong Jin; Chung, June Key

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate usefulness of quantitative measurement of three phase bone scintigraphy in assessing the complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) after stroke using reference value in healthy adults. METHOD: Twenty nine stroke patients with CRPS and 15 stroke patients without CRPS underwent three phase bone scintigraphy (TPBS). Uptake ratio was calculated by isotope count of affected side divided in isotope count of unaffected side in each phase. Reference value was obtained in 13 healthy adults. The sensitivity and specificity of quantitative measurement of TPBS was assessed.
RESULTS
In the all phases of hand, uptake ratios of the CRPS group were significantly higher than non-CRPS group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the delayed phase of shoulder between the CRPS group and the non- CRPS group. In the delayed phase of hand, sensitivity and specificity of quantitative measurement of TPBS were 82.8% and 86.7%, whereas those of qualitative interpretation by nuclear physician were 65.5% and 66.7%, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Quantitative measurement of TPBS was more sensitive and more specific than qualitative interpretation by nuclear physician in assessing the CRPS after stroke. Quantitative measurement of TPBS may be helpful in detecting CRPS after stroke.