History: 74 yo female with left foot pain and swelling. Evaluate for osteo.
Solution: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
The imaging findings in this case include diffuse increased flow, blood pool, and delayed activity on the bone scan with severe diffuse osteopenia on the radiograph and are typical of chronic reflex sympathetic dystrophy. The etiology of RSD is uncertain, but it is often preceded by a traumatic insult to the affected limb, from minor to severe. The symptoms of reflex sympathetic dystrophy often progress in three stages — acute, dystrophic, and atrophic. The acute stage occurs during the first 1-3 months and the symptoms may include: burning, pain, swelling, hypersensitivity, joint pain, increased perfusion and temperature of the affected region. During the dystrophic stage there can be constant pain and swelling, a cool, bluish limb and atrophy. These symptoms occur after 3-6 months. During the atrophic stage, the skin becomes cool and shiny, and osteoporosis becomes more prevalent.
The imaging findings in this case include diffuse increased flow, blood pool, and delayed activity on the bone scan with severe diffuse osteopenia on the radiograph and are typical of chronic reflex sympathetic dystrophy. The etiology of RSD is uncertain, but it is often preceded by a traumatic insult to the affected limb, from minor to severe. The symptoms of reflex sympathetic dystrophy often progress in three stages — acute, dystrophic, and atrophic. The acute stage occurs during the first 1-3 months and the symptoms may include: burning, pain, swelling, hypersensitivity, joint pain, increased perfusion and temperature of the affected region. During the dystrophic stage there can be constant pain and swelling, a cool, bluish limb and atrophy. These symptoms occur after 3-6 months. During the atrophic stage, the skin becomes cool and shiny, and osteoporosis becomes more prevalent.
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