[Partial algodystrophy].

The authors describe, on the basis of 7 cases, a special form of decalcifying algodystrophy not described in the literature, characterized by a very localized pain beginning gradually, or more often suddenly. It is of mechanical or mixed type, accompanied by local, pseudo-inflammatory signs being either apparent or discrete, very elective and very sharp pain upon palpation of a very limited area of a condyle or a tibial plate, with hyperfixation located through scintigraphy with technetium 99m polyphosphates, and regressing either spontaneously, or more quickly under treatment, of which thyrocalcitone is the essential part, without undergoing a phase of intense loco-regional demineralization. This form of algodystrophy, that they propose to call partial algodystrophy, can, like the other forms of algodystrophy, appear in monofocal or plurifocal form, either straight off or at a distance from the first incidence, which leads this new radioclinical type to be considered a simple form of algodystrophy of the limbs, midway between the types without radiological anomaly during development and the complete and extensive ones with major radiological signs. Finally, they underline the great value or scintigraphy in diagnosing this form of algodystrophy and algodystrophy without radiologic anomaly.