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Sympathetically maintained pain: Confusing classification, ill-defined diagnostic criteria, and puzzling pathophysiology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 September 1997

Srinivasa N. Raja
Affiliation:
Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287 sraja@welchlink.welch.jhu.edu
Ursula Wesselmann
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, Blaustein Pain Treatment Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21287 pain@welchlink.welch.jhu.edu

Abstract

Recent studies indicate a role of the sympathetic nervous system in acute and chronic pain. However, the terminology of the clinical sympathetically maintained pain (SMP) syndromes continues to be confusing and the criteria for diagnosis of SMP are being refined. (blumberg et al.) Despite significant progress in recent years, the mechanisms of the interaction between the sympathetic and sensory systems in SMP remain puzzling.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
© 1997 Cambridge University Press

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