Reflex sympathetic dystrophy: an underreported syndrome in children?

Two cases of reflex sympathetic dystrophy are described in a 13-year-old and a 10-year-old girl. In the latter, symptoms occurred consecutively in the right leg, the left foot and the left hand. In contrast to the usual findings in adults, bone scintigraphy showed decreased radio-isotope uptake in the affected area during the early phase. An electromyography performed in the younger patient showed slower nerve conduction velocity in the affected limb. The younger girl improved following physical therapy and calcitonin injections, while the older patient favorably responded to sympathetic blockade.