P-3-08-02
QUANTITATIVE EVALUATION OF SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM DYSFUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH REFLEX SYMPATHETIC DYSTROPHY
Junii Ide, Makio Yamaga, Toshio Kitamura and Katsumasa Takagi (Kumamoto University School of Medicine, Kumamoto, Japan)
Purpose: To find out if sympathetic nervous system (SNS) dysfunction can be demonstrated in patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD).
Methods: The SNS function in 20 patients with RSD of one upper extremity was examined by a noninvasive laser Doppler method to assess fingertip blood flow and vasoconstrictor response to deep inspiration.
Results: We observed an increased blood flow but an unchanged vasoconstrictor response in the affected hand in stage 1 of the disorder, but in stage 2 there was a decreased blood flow and a stronger vasoconstriction following an inspiratory gasp. Skin blood flow and vasoconstrictor response returned to normal following successful treatment of the condition.
Conclusions: These results suggest that in RSD patients the SNS function is altered and is different in the various stages. The objective method used in our study may be of value in the diagnosis and management of RSD.
P-3-08-03
Analysis of laterarity of bilateral skin blood flow at rest
Toshio Kitamura, Katsumasa Takagi, Makio Yamaga and Junji Ide
(Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan)
[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate laterarity of bilateral skin blood flow on both normal subjects and peripheral nerve disorder cases at rest.
[Method] The skin blood flow of 35 normal subjects and 9 neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS; mean age 29.3 years) cases were measured at rest using a laser doppler flow mettry and analyzed using a coefficient of correlation between blood flow of both palms of the index fingers. Activity of the sympathetic nerve was evaluated by power spector analysis.
[Results] A coefficient of correlation in normal subjects aged 20-49 was smaller than those in over 50 years. This result indicates that laterarity is affected by aging. A coefficient of correlation of the TOS group was smaller than that of the 20-49 age group in the normal subjects. This result indicates that laterarity of the TOS group is larger than that of the normal group. Sympathetic activity in power spector on the affected side of the TOS group was lower than the normal group.
[Conclusion] These findings suggest that the decreasing of sympathetic activity on the affected side causes increasing laterarity of skin blood flow.
