Two cases of Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome treated with haloperidol

Two cases of Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome occurring in Sri Lanka are reported. Both patients had the characteristics of the syndrome as described by Fernando (1967): (1) Childhood onset (below 16 years of age); (2) Multiple motor tics; (3) Unprovoked vocal utterances which may progress to coprolalia. Both responded to haloperidol, withdrawal of medication being followed by relapse, and reintroduction by remission. The literature on the aetiology of the condition has been reviewed. The weight of evidence favours an organic cause, although psychological precipitation cannot be ruled out.