We report a case of thoracic spine diskitis of unknown cause that had aggressive and destructive features on MR images. Results of two biopsies were unremarkable. The process began after sneezing, also produced extensive paraspinous enhancement, and resolved without antibiotic therapy both clinically and radiologically after four months. A discussion of case similarities to Reflex Sympathetic D...

According to the large literature on the subject, the reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the upper extremity, or so-called shoulder-hand syndrome (Steinbrocker, 1947), seems to be relatively common. Unfortunately the literature contains no data about the incidence of this disorder as a whole. Many authors have reported its incidence to be 10-20 per cent. of cases of coronary occlusion (Askey, 1941...

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to Professor Churcher’s comments concerning the above m~usc~pt. We agree that reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS) should be considered a subset of the sympathetic mediated pain states (SMPS). However, we strenuously disagree that the reversibility of symptoms with a sympathetic block is a necessary and sufficient condition for confirming the dia...

(formerly known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy) elicits in absence of any obvious nerve injury, whereas CRPS Type II (previously termed causalgia) is associated with injury to a major peripheral nerve. However, the clinical presentations of the two types are normally indistinguishable. Limb fracture is the most common traumatic event that precedes CRPS. Lesions of the central nervous system, e...

An unusual case of a 2 1/2-year-old girl with reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) of the left arm is described. She is the youngest RSD case ever presented in the literature. Upper extremity involvement is also rare in childhood RSD. She had both physical and psychological trauma in an earthquake preceding the disease. The association of RSD with a psychological disorder is stressed and awarenes...

The Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association estimates that the CRPS affects between 200,000 and 1.2 million Americans. The underlying causes of the syndrome have yet to be defined, and no definitive diagnostic test exists even though CRPS was first described in the late 19th century by the neurologist Silas Weir Mitchell. Mitchell referred to the cluster of symptoms he noticed in some...