D. Lechevalier et al., MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING IN COLD AND WA RM REFLEX SYMPATHETIC DYSTROPHY OF THE FOOT, Journal de radiologie, 77(6), 1996, pp. 411-417
Purpose: To report magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities in reflex
sympathetic dystrophy of the foot. Methods: Retrospective study of 22
algodystrophies of the foot, in warm phase in 17 cases, in cold phase
in 5. Results: Algodystrophy in warm phase : Bone medullary abnormalit
ies were noted in 17 cases (decrease of signal intensity was found in
T1 weighted images, increase of signal intensity in T2 weighted images
, in T1 and T2 with fat-saturation, in T1 with gadolinium), located at
the increased uptake technetium site in 16 cases. T1 and T2 weighted
images with fat-saturation and T1 with fat-saturation after injection
of gadolinium were pathological in all cases, T1 was normal in 2 cases
. Soft tissues abnormalities were noted in 11 cases, joint effusion in
8 cases, synovial hypertrophy enhanced by gadolinium in 2 cases and a
subchondral linear area of hypointense signal on T1 and T2 images was
not present after gadolinium injection in 1 case. Six fractures were
detected. Algodystrophy in cold phase : no bone edema, no synovial hyp
ertrophy, no joint effusion, no soft tissues abnormalities, no fractur
es are detected. Conclusion: The results suggest that the MRI has a co
nsiderable value in diagnosis during the warm phase of reflex sympatet
ic dystrophy of the foot. The normal MRI findings during the cold phas
e could be important to understand its etiology.