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CRPS – Diagnosis — SCE Neurology MCQ

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HardClinical NeurophysiologyCRPS – DiagnosisSCE Neurology

After wrist fracture, a patient has disproportionate pain. Symptoms occur in sensory, vasomotor and oedema categories. Examination shows allodynia and temperature asymmetry, but no sudomotor or motor/trophic sign. No better diagnosis is found. Does this meet the Budapest clinical criteria?

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Correct answer: C — Yes: symptoms in three categories and signs in two

Explanation lettering: E = shown as C · C = shown as D · D = shown as E

E is correct. Clinical Budapest criteria require continuing disproportionate pain, at least one symptom in three of four categories, at least one sign in two or more categories, and no better explanation. This patient meets those thresholds. All four categories are not required clinically, bone scan is not mandatory, three sign categories are unnecessary, and demonstrated nerve injury distinguishes type II but is not required for CRPS diagnosis.

Reference: Validation of the Budapest clinical criteria: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2914601/