J Korean Child Neurol Soc.  2000 Dec;8(2):319-323.

A Case of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome

• Jeong KJ
• Choi BS
• Kim BJ
• Woo YJ
• Ma JS

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.

Keyword

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome; Thermography; Prednisone

MeSH Terms

Adult
Arm
Diagnosis
Extremities
Female
Humans
Prednisolone
Prednisone
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy*
Reflex*
Skin
Thermography
Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation
Prednisolone
Prednisone