Correlation of pain with temperature and blood-flow changes in the lower limb following chemical lumbar sympathectomy in reflex sympathetic dystrophy. A case report

Int Angiol. 1995 Sep;14(3):226-8.

Abstract

Temperature and microcirculatory blood flow studies have been measured before and after chemical sympathectomy in a patient with reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the left leg present for at least three years following surgery for glomus tumour. Normalisation of temperature and blood flow was associated with the relief of pain, present initially when the limb was hypothermic and vasoconstricted and recurring when the limb was hyperthermic and vasodilated. It is possible that such objective measurement may be used to determine the optimal management of RSD.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Blood Flow Velocity / physiology
  • Female
  • Glomus Tumor / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Leg / blood supply*
  • Microcirculation / physiology
  • Pain Threshold / physiology
  • Pain, Postoperative / physiopathology
  • Pain, Postoperative / therapy*
  • Phenol
  • Phenols*
  • Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / physiopathology
  • Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / therapy*
  • Regional Blood Flow / physiology
  • Skin / blood supply
  • Skin Temperature / physiology*
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Sympathectomy, Chemical*
  • Sympatholytics*
  • Vasoconstriction / physiology
  • Vasodilation / physiology

Substances

  • Phenols
  • Sympatholytics
  • Phenol