Treatment experience in a patient of complex regional pain syndrome combined with secondary lymphedema of lower extremity

Abstract

Background: Lymphedema is characterized by localized tissue swelling due to excessive interstitial space retention of lymphatic fluid. Lymphedema is easy to be misdiagnosed since it resembles other conditions of extremity swelling. We present a case of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type I with secondary lymphedema that was successfully managed with spinal cord stimulation (SCS).Case: A 39-year-old female patient came to our pain clinic with complaints of lower extremity pain and edema. To find out reason of leg edema, computed tomography of extremity angiography and blood test were performed. However, all of evaluations were normal. Lastly performed lymphoscintigraphy showed secondary lymphedema. SCS was performed and it showed dramatic reduction subsequent to implantation of SCS.Conclusions: We could successfully manage the intractable pain and edema in CRPS combined with lymphedema. If a patient presents different nature of edema, coexistence of other disease needs to be considered.