Re: Dystonia-Causalgia Syndrome...Q's?

Posted By CCF Neurology MD - AY on December 25, 1998 at 22:24:31:

In Reply to: Dystonia-Causalgia Syndrome...Q's? posted by Jason on December 21, 1998 at 10:25:03:






I read something in an earlier post and am wondering if I could get further information about it.  Dystonia-Causalgia Syndrome.  I did a search and could find nothing on it.  What are the causes, symptoms, treatments, etc...
Thank you for providing a wonderful service.




Thanks for your question.  The following is a clinical review on the subject
of dystonia-causalgia (I also included the abstract of the article).  The
complete article can be found in any good university library:
The causalgia-dystonia syndrome.
Brain 1993 Aug;116 ( Pt 4):843-51
Bhatia KP; Bhatt MH; Marsden CD
University Department of Clinical Neurology, Institute of Neurology, London, UK.
"We report 18 patients (16 women and two men) with causalgia and dystonia, triggered by peripheral injuries in 15 cases and occurring spontaneously in three. The injury
was often trivial, and did not cause overt peripheral nerve lesions. The mean age at presentation was 28.5 years. None had a family history of dystonia. The leg was
affected initially in 12 patients, the arm in the remaining six cases. All had burning pain, allodynia and hyperpathia, along with vasomotor, sudomotor and trophic changes.
All developed dystonic muscle spasms in the affected part. Dystonia always appeared at the same time or after the causalgia. The spasms were typically sustained,
producing a 'fixed' dystonic posture, in contrast to the mobile spasms characteristics of idiopathic torsion dystonia. There was spread of the causalgia and of the dystonia
from its initial site both in the affected limb and to other extremities, the latter in hemiplegic, transverse and triplegic distribution. All investigations were normal. All modes of
conventional treatment failed to relieve either the pain or the dystonia, but two patients recovered spontaneously. At present it is impossible to decide whether this
distressing syndrome is a true functional disorder of the central nervous system, or is of psychogenic origin. "

I hope this information is helpful.  Best of luck.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only.
Please consult your doctor regarding diagnostic and treatment options.