I have been diagnosed with reflex sympathetic dystrophy. having a bone scan done. do you think this will confirm the diagnose or will need more tests?

Maybe.: Rsd is a very complicated problem and can be frustrating to secure a diagnosis. First you must be evaluated to make sure there is not another cause of your complaints. Is there a recent trauma, that may cause a fracture or tear of a muscle or ligament? Has infection been ruled out? Usually you will need x-rays, or mri's, and possibly blood tests to rule out the above.

Sometimes: Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (rsd) or complex regional pain syndrome is sometimes difficult to diagnose.In adults mainly involves upper extremity, children lower extremity. Rsd is response to minor soft tissue injury.Symptoms (severe pain, inflammation, temperature changes) multiphase bone scan patterns with decreased , increased, and mixed patterns of uptake can occur.Clinical correlation needed.

IT could: There is a certain scan pattern that is "typical " of rsd but not all patient's scans will demonstrate this pattern.

Usually, yes.: In the case of reflex sympathetic dystrophy (rsd) we usually performed a "triple phase" bone scan, the first phase is the bone blood flow study and the second phase is an immediate static bone scan of the area to be evaluated. The third phase is the delayed bone scan . In a high proportion of rsd cases, various degrees of hyperemia and increased uptake will be seen . Bone scan is very helpful.

Should confirm: If the scan is inconclusive, a more definitive test called a qsart may be very helpful.