Peripheral nerve pathology in patients with severely affected complex regional pain syndrome type I.

Complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS-I) is a chronic pain syndrome with no clinical evidence of nerve injury; however, recently, changes in muscle tissue have been found in case of CRPS-I. Our aim was to search for histological changes in peripheral nerves of amputated limbs from patients with therapy-resistant CRPS-I that could justify muscle tissue changes. Fifteen patients with CRPS-I (duration >1 year) were included.