ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the benefit of digital infrared thermography imaging (DITI) and three-phase bone scintigraphy (TPBS) for detecting the post-hemiplegic complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). METHOD: DITI and TPBS were done in 26 patients with post-hemiplegic CRPS clinically and 14 hemiplegic patients without CRPS as controls. Positive findings were interpreted when the affected hands were 1.0degrees C higher than those of unaffected hands in DITI system and pathological uptake in the regions of interest (hands without fingers-carpal bones, metacarpal bones and metacarpopharyngeal joints) in delayed phase of the TPBS. RESULTS: The sensitivities of DITI and TPBS to detect CRPS were the same to each other as 46.2%, and specificities were 85.7% and 100% respectively. Nineteen of 26 patients (sensitivity=73.1%) were interpreted as abnormal when at least one test showed a positive finding. As a result, an increased diagnostic strength was achieved. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the combination of TPBS and DITI can improve the diagnostic strength of post- hemiplegic CRPS.