Sympathetic reflex dystrophy with hypofixation of technetium 99 m pyrophosphates on bone scintigraphy

A patient with sympathetic reflex dystrophy following injury to the right foot presented fairly typical clinical and radiological signs, though the hot phase was particularly short. Bone scan with technetium 99 m pyrophosphates demonstrated hypofixation, which, though extremely rare, has been previously reported in the published literature. The fact that isotopic bone hypofixation can occur during sympathetic reflex dystrophy should be recognised, as far from constituting an argument against the early diagnosis of this affection, it should enable the organic nature of the disorder to be confirmed, and assist the physician in making an early diagnosis