The Clinical journal of pain
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Case Reports
Basal blood flow in complex regional pain syndrome does not necessarily indicate vasoconstrictor nerve activity.
To quantitatively investigate simultaneous skin blood flow and sweating in a patient with complex regional pain syndrome. ⋯ Although sympathetic nerve activity (sympathetic flow response) appeared greater on one side, basal blood flow was also greater on that side. These contradictory results suggest that some factor or factors increase basal blood flow despite a higher sympathetic nerve tone on the side. Comparing basal blood flow on one side to the contralateral side does not necessarily indicate lesser vasoconstrictor nerve activity on that side. Advantages of simultaneous measurement of skin blood flow and sweating with a single probe may make the method useful.