PURPOSE: To improve the present MRI criteria for diagnosis and staging of reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) by including increased joint fluid as an additional MRI sign of RSD. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: One hundred and fourteen extremities (69 affected and 45 contralateral controls) in 57 consecutive patients with RSD were evaluated using a 1.5-T unit. T1- and T2-weighted pulse sequences, often with fat suppression, were used before and after administration of intravenous contrast enhancement (Gd). Following T2-weighted image digitization the volume of synovial fluid was measured with a computer model. RESULTS: Effusions were detected in 61% of the extremities suspected of RSD and in 44% of the contralateral control joints. The mean fluid quantity measured in the symptomatic articulation was 201 mm3. MRI diagnosis of RSD based on previously described criteria was done in 62% of the patients, yielding a sensitivity of 60%. Effusions were present in 79% of the false negative MRI cases. Retrospectively considering the presence of fluid as a potential positive criterion for RSD increases the sensitivity by 31% (to 91%). CONCLUSIONS: Joint effusions are probably associated with early stages of RSD. Adding effusion to the list of radiological criteria for RSD increases the sensitivity of MRI from 60% to 91%.
PURPOSE: To improve the present MRI criteria for diagnosis and staging of reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) by including increased joint fluid as an additional MRI sign of RSD. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: One hundred and fourteen extremities (69 affected and 45 contralateral controls) in 57 consecutive patients with RSD were evaluated using a 1.5-T unit. T1- and T2-weighted pulse sequences, often with fat suppression, were used before and after administration of intravenous contrast enhancement (Gd). Following T2-weighted image digitization the volume of synovial fluid was measured with a computer model. RESULTS: Effusions were detected in 61% of the extremities suspected of RSD and in 44% of the contralateral control joints. The mean fluid quantity measured in the symptomatic articulation was 201 mm3. MRI diagnosis of RSD based on previously described criteria was done in 62% of the patients, yielding a sensitivity of 60%. Effusions were present in 79% of the false negative MRI cases. Retrospectively considering the presence of fluid as a potential positive criterion for RSD increases the sensitivity by 31% (to 91%). CONCLUSIONS: Joint effusions are probably associated with early stages of RSD. Adding effusion to the list of radiological criteria for RSD increases the sensitivity of MRI from 60% to 91%.
Authors: Martin W Huellner; Alexander Bürkert; Florian S Schleich; Maja Schürch; Urs Hug; Urs von Wartburg; Klaus Strobel; Patrick Veit-Haibach Journal: Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging Date: 2012-01-12 Impact factor: 9.236
Authors: Daehyun Yoon; Yingding Xu; Peter W Cipriano; Israt S Alam; Carina Mari Aparici; Vivianne L Tawfik; Catherine M Curtin; Ian R Carroll; Sandip Biswal Journal: Pain Med Date: 2022-02-01 Impact factor: 3.750