Related Experiment Videos
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy in two young females
Acta Paediatrica Scandinavica
|November 1, 1979
Summary
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy, a rare neurovascular pain syndrome in children, can cause severe leg pain and tenderness. Prompt treatment including sympathetic block and mobilization leads to full recovery.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pain Management
- Neurovascular Disorders
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Background:
- Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), now often termed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), is a poorly understood pain condition.
- It is infrequently diagnosed in pediatric patients, often presenting with atypical symptoms.
Observation:
- Two young female patients presented with disabling pain and localized hyperesthesia in their lower extremities.
- No clear history of trauma was reported in either case, complicating initial diagnosis.
Findings:
- A multimodal treatment approach, including sympathetic nerve blocks and active physical mobilization, was employed.
- One patient with significant atrophic changes also underwent a lumbar sympathectomy.
Implications:
- Both patients achieved complete recovery, suggesting the efficacy of early and aggressive intervention.
- RSD/CRPS should be considered in the differential diagnosis for pediatric patients presenting with unexplained extremity pain and tenderness.