Truncal complex regional pain syndrome, myth or reality: Case report

Luxwell Jokonya; Simbarashe Mungazi; Tariro L Mduluza-Jokonya; Kazadi K N Kalangu

doi:10.1016/j.ijscr.2021.105959

Truncal complex regional pain syndrome, myth or reality: Case report

Int J Surg Case Rep. 2021 Jun:83:105959. doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2021.105959. Epub 2021 May 3.

Authors

Luxwell Jokonya¹, Simbarashe Mungazi², Tariro L Mduluza-Jokonya³, Kazadi K N Kalangu⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Surgery, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe; Optics & Imaging, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal; KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Department of Surgery and Anaesthetics, National University of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe.
³ Optics & Imaging, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal; KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
⁴ Department of Surgery, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe.

Abstract

Introduction: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is an under diagonised, chronic pain condition commonly described occurring in the extremities. Its occurrence in the trunk is rarely reported and is thought by some to be non existent.

Case presentation: We report an unusual case of trunkul CRPS post appendectomy which presented with debilitating pain and review relevant literature.

Discussion and conclusion: We recommend that subsequent descriptions and diagnostic criteria should include the trunk as a site of occurrence of CRPS and not just the extremities. This will help reduce under diagnosis of this important condition.

Keywords: Appendicitis; CRPS; Case report; Chronic pain; Complex regional pain syndrome; Trunk.