The predictive value of additional late blood pool imaging to the three-phase bone scan in the diagnosis of reflex sympathetic dystrophy in hemiplegic patients.

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) is a relative common sequel after hemiplegia. The diagnosis of RSD in hemiplegic patients presents difficult clinical problems, as the symptoms and signs of RSD are not specific and RSD may be due to reasons other than hemiplegia. Bone scintigraphy has been routinely used for the diagnosis of RSD; however, the optimal acquisition protocols, diagnostic patterns and the utility of quantitation are controversial.