NEW ASPECTS IN POSTTRAUMATIC DYSTROPHY

Posttraumatic dystrophy (PTD) is a syndrome that involves both neurolo gical symptoms and microvascular abnormalities. A total of 44 consecut ive patients seen for the first time with PTD were investigated. In 42 patients X-rays were taken: of the cervical spine in the case of PTD of the hand, and of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine in the ca se of PTD of the foot. Two patients refused this investigation. In all 44 patients microvascular functions were investigated by means of tra nscutaneous oximetry, laser Doppler flow metering and capillary micros copy. In 34 of 42 patients radiographical disturbances of the vertebra l column were noted, 19 of them on the same side as the affected extre mity. Patients with a sensation of warmth in the affected extremity du ring the investigations exhibited a different microvascular behaviour than patients with a cold feeling. Both groups had different microvasc ular outcomes from healthy volunteers.