Reflex sympathetic dystrophy in the hands: clinical and scintigraphic criteria.

Abstract
In an attempt to establish specific scintigraphic criteria for the reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSD) as defined by a group of specialized hand surgeons, 145 consecutive patients, 23 of whom had clinical RSD, underwent 3 phase radionuclide bone scanning (TPBS). Specific patterns for positive radionuclide angiogram, blood pool and delayed images were established. The delayed images were sensitive (96%), specific (97%) and had a valuable negative predictive value (99%). TPBS apparently could provide an objective marker for RSD, and it could also be used to exclude RSD in patients who had less specific signs and symptoms.