Sympathetically maintained pain syndrome--a case report
Zyluk, A.; Walaszek, I.
Chirurgia Narzadow Ruchu i Ortopedia Polska 66(5): 511-515
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0009-479X PMID: 11875887 Document Number: 533937
Sympathetically maintained pain syndrome (SMPS) is considered to be a clinical form of reflex sympathic dystrophy. It develops usually after trauma, and consists of continuous, burning pain with sympathetic component. We present a case of this syndrome affecting both hands, that developed in a patient 3 months after severe burn injury. Intravenous fentolamine test was used to recognise sympathetic transmission of the pain. The management included regional intravenous fentolamine blocks and orally administrated phenoxybenzamine. The former gave only temporary relief; after latter improvement lasted 2 months, but patient eventually failed to recover. Diagnostic and therapeutic considerations concerning this syndrome were underlined.