Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess the changes of skin temperature quantitatively in the stroke patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS) using thermography according to their clinical phases as well as changes after treatment.

Method: Patient group was consisted of 17 stroke patients with RSDS. Mean onset time of RSDS after stroke was 10.6 weeks. All patients were assessed by triphasic bone scan and clinically classified by phase I, II, and III. Control group was consisted of 9 stroke patients without RSDS. Temperature difference between affected side and unaffected side in wrist and hand regions were assessed in all subjects using Thermovision 570 (Agema Infrared Systems, USA) when initial clinical diagnosis was made. Seven patients were reassessed after high dose steroid and physical therapy.

Results: In patients with phase I RSDS, affected wrist and hand showed higher temperature distribution than the unaffected side. On the other hand, patients with phase II and III showed lower temperature in the affected side. The mean temperature difference in patients with phase I RSDS was significantly greater than control group. After treatment, skin temperature of affected side was decreased in phase I patients, but increased in phase II patients. Skin temperature difference tended to be normalized after successful treatment.

Conclusion: Using thermography, temperature change of affected hand can be assessed quantitatively in stroke patients with RSDS. The thermography is considered to be a useful tool for evaluation of clinical phases and treatment effect in these patients.

Keywords :Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome, Thermography, Stroke, Steroid