Causalgia: a wartime experience--report of twenty treated cases

During the 10-year period from 1975 to 1985 20 patients suffering from causalgia were treated. There were 15 men and five women. Ages ranged from 17 to 45 years (mean, 23). All were war casualties injured by high-velocity missiles. The median nerve was involved in eight cases, ulnar nerve in six, brachial plexus in four, sciatic nerve in four, radial nerve in three, and there were multiple nerve injuries in five cases. The diagnosis of causalgia was based on the characteristic clinical picture and was confirmed by sympathetic blocks. All patients were treated by sympathectomy and all had complete dramatic relief in the immediate postoperative period. Followup ranged from 4 months to 10 years (mean, 5.3 yr).