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AJNR - American Journal of Neuroradiology

Published ahead of print on April 22, 2009
doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A1630

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American Journal of Neuroradiology 30:1279-1284, August 2009
© 2009 American Society of Neuroradiology

Review Article

Functional Imaging of Central Nervous System Involvement in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

P. Schwenkreis^a, C. Maier^b and M. Tegenthoff^a

^a Departments of Neurology, BG-Universitatsklinikum Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany
^b Pain Management, BG-Universitatsklinikum Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany

Please address correspondence to Peter Schwenkreis, MD, BG-Universitatsklinikum Bergmannsheil, Department of Neurology, Buerkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, D-44789 Bochum, Germany; e-mail: Peter.Schwenkreis{at}ruhr-uni-bochum.de

SUMMARY: In complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), functional imaging studies gave evidence for an important role of the central nervous system (CNS) in the pathogenesis of the disease. Especially, reorganization in central somatosensory and motor networks was demonstrated, leading to an altered central processing of tactile and nociceptive stimuli, as well as to an altered cerebral organization of movement. These findings may explain a number of clinical signs and symptoms occurring in the course of the disease and seem to be closely related to chronic pain in CRPS. Neurorehabilitative strategies, which target cortical areas and aim to restore impaired sensorimotor function in patients with CRPS, therefore, may be effective not only in restoring impaired function but also in pain reduction. This article reviews findings of functional imaging studies, which have been conducted to clarify CNS involvement in the course of CRPS.