Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Evidence for spirochetal origin of Sudeck's atrophy (algodystrophy, reflex sympathetic dystrophy)

  • Clinical and Experimental Forum
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Four female patients with Sudeck's atrophy (SA) were evaluated at our department. Sera of all patients were investigated for antibodies againstBorrelia burgdorferi. In all patients elevated IgG antibody titers and in one patient also elevated IgM titer were found. In one patient structures identical withB. burgdorferi could be detected on histological sections from the skin of the affected limb. Our data and those of other authors suggest that a spirochetal infection can be regarded as an important etiopathogenetic factor in the development of SA.

Zusammenfassung

Vier weibliche Patienten mit Sudeck'scher Atrophie wurden in Hinblick auf eine mögliche Infektion mitBorrelia burgdorferi, dem Erreger der Lyme disease, untersucht. Bei allen Patienten fanden sich im Serum erhöhte IgG-Antikörper, bei einer Patientin auch erhöhte IgM-Antikörper gegenBorrelia burgdorferi. Bei einer Patientin konnten auf histologischen Schnitten Strukturen, identisch mitBorrelia burgdorferi, nachgewiesen werden. Unsere Ergebnisse und die anderer Autoren zeigen, daß eine Infektion mitBorrelia burgdorferi bei der Entstehung des Morbus Sudeck eine wichtige ätiopathogenetische Rolle spielen könnte.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Aberer E, Stanek G, Ertl M, Neumann R (1987) Evidence for spirochetal origin of circumscribed scleroderma (morphea). Acta Derm Venereol (Stockh) 67: 225–231

    Google Scholar 

  2. Aberer E, Stanek G (1987) Histological evidence for spirochetal origin of morphea and lichen sclerosus et atrophicans. Am J Dermatopathol 9: 374–379

    Google Scholar 

  3. Ammitzboll T, Serup J (1984) Collagen metabolites in urine in localized scleroderma (morphea). Acta Derm Venereol (Stockh) 64: 534–569

    Google Scholar 

  4. Asbrink E, Hovmark A, Hederstedt B (1984) The spirochetal etiology of acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans Herxheimer. Acta Derm Venerol (Stockh) 64: 506–512

    Google Scholar 

  5. Basle MF, Rebel A, Renier JC (1983) Bone tissue in reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome-Sudeck's atrophy: structural and ultrastructural studies. Metab Bone Dis Rel Res 4: 305–311

    Google Scholar 

  6. Doury P, Dirheimer Y, Pattin S (1981) Algodystrophy-diagnosis and therapy of a frequent disease of the locomotor apparatus. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York

    Google Scholar 

  7. Hovmark A, Asbrink E, Olsson I (1986) Joint and bone involvement in Swedish patients withIxodes ricinus-borneBorrelia infection. Zentralbl Bakteriol Microbiol Hyg [A] 263: 275–284

    Google Scholar 

  8. Huaux JP, Bigaignon G, Stadtsbaeder S et al (1988) Pattern of Lyme arthritis in Europe: report of 14 cases. Ann Rheum Dis 47: 164–165

    Google Scholar 

  9. Jacobs JC, Stevens M, Duray PH (1986) Lyme disease simulating septic arthritis. JAMA 256: 1138–1139

    Google Scholar 

  10. Lagier R (1985) Sudeck-type dystrophy in Paget's disease of bone. An anatomico-radiological approach. Clin Rheumatol 4: 62–67

    Google Scholar 

  11. Lagier R, Boussina I, Mathies B (1983) Algodystrophy of the knee. Anatomo-radiological study of a case. Clin Rheumatol 2: 71–77

    Google Scholar 

  12. Lagier R, Chamay A (1984) Localized Sudeck's dystrophy and distal interphalangeal osteoarthritis of a finger: anatomico-radiologic study. J Hand Surg 9: 328–332

    Google Scholar 

  13. Pachner AR, Steere AC (1985) The triad of neurologic manifestations of Lyme disease: meningitits, cranial neuritis and radiculoneuritis. Neurology 35: 47–53

    Google Scholar 

  14. Stanek G, Hirschl A, Kristoferitsch W (1986) IIft and ELISA in der serologischen Diagnose der Lyme Borreliose. Mitt Österr Ges Tropenmed Parasitol 8: 1–6

    Google Scholar 

  15. Steere AC, Batsford WC, Weinberg M, et al. (1980) Lyme carditis: cardiac abnormalities of Lyme disease. Ann Intern Med 126: 275–276

    Google Scholar 

  16. Steere AC, Grodzicki RL, Kornblatt AN, et al. (1983) The spirochetal etiology of Lyme disease. N Engl J Med 308: 733–740

    Google Scholar 

  17. Steere AC, Malawista SE, Hardin JA, et al. (1977) Erythema chronicum migrans and Lyme arthritis. The enlarging clinical spectrum. Ann Intern Med 86: 685–698

    Google Scholar 

  18. Steinbrocker O (1947) The shoulder-hand syndrome: associated painful homolateral disability of shoulder and hand with swelling and atrophy of hand. Am J Med 3: 402–407

    Google Scholar 

  19. Sudeck P (1900) Über die akute entzündliche Knochenatrophie. Arch Klin Chir 62: 147–156

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology II, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    R. A. Neumann & E. Aberer

  2. Institute of Hygiene, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    G. Stanek

Authors
  1. R. A. Neumann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. E. Aberer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. G. Stanek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Neumann, R.A., Aberer, E. & Stanek, G. Evidence for spirochetal origin of Sudeck's atrophy (algodystrophy, reflex sympathetic dystrophy). Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 108, 314–316 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00932322

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00932322

Keywords

Search

Navigation