A case of reflex sympathetic dystrophy (complex regional pain syndrome, type I) resolved by cerebral contusion

• Published in: Pain (Amsterdam) Vol. 79; no. 2; pp. 313 - 315
• Main Authors: Shibata, Masahiko, Nakao, Kazuhisa, Galer, Bradley S, Shimizu, Tadao, Taniguchi, Hiroshi, Uchida, Takahisa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.02.1999; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Brain Concussion - complications; Brain Concussion - pathology; Brain Concussion - physiopathology; Cerebral accident; Cerebral contusion; Complex regional pain syndrome; Cranial nerves. Spinal roots. Peripheral nerves. Autonomic nervous system. Gustation. Olfaction; Humans; Hyperhidrosis - physiopathology; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nervous system (semeiology, syndromes); Neurology; Pain - pathology; Pain - physiopathology; Pain Measurement; Reflex sympathetic dystrophy; Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy - complications; Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy - pathology; Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy - physiopathology; Temporal Lobe - injuries; Temporal Lobe - pathology; Cerebral accident; Reflex sympathetic dystrophy; Cerebral contusion; Complex regional pain syndrome; Case study; Human; Temporal lobe; Nervous system diseases; Pain; Diseases of the autonomic nervous system; Complex syndrome; Recovery; Trauma; Cerebral disorder
• ISSN: 0304-3959; 1872-6623
• DOI: 10.1016/S0304-3959(98)00182-1

We present a case of refractory reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) (complex regional pain syndrome, type I) whose symptoms (ongoing pain, allodynia, hyperhydrosis and temperature abnormalities) were resolved after the patient suffered a traumatic cerebral contusion in the left temporal lobe, which caused no neurological deficit. This case suggests that symptoms of some RSD patients may largely sustained by a complex network involving the brain.