Photoacoustic microscopy of complex regional pain syndrome type Ⅰ (CRPS-1) after stellate ganglion blocks in vivo

摘要

We used photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) to assist diagnoses and monitor the progress and treatment outcome of complex regional pain syndrome type 1 (CRPS-1). Blood vasculature and oxygen saturation (sO_2) were imaged by PAM in eight adult patients with CRPS-1. Patients' hands and cuticles were imaged both before and after stellate ganglion block (SGB) for comparison. For all patients, both the vascular structure and sO_2 could be assessed by PAM. In addition, more vessels and stronger signals were observed after SGB.