[Dystonia as a complication of gastroesophageal reflux: Sandifer syndrome]

A girl aged 4 years and 5 months was admitted because of vomiting, poor appetite, epigastrial pain, weight loss and an abnormal posturing of the head and neck since the age of 3 1/2 years. This abnormal posturing consisted of maximal lateral flexion of the head and neck to the left. A number of investigations including EEG and CT-Scan of the head, had been performed repeatedly, and despite normal results various neuropsychiatric diagnoses were made. In our hospital massive gastrooesophageal reflux and oesophagitis were demonstrated and the diagnosis of Sandifer's syndrome was established. A fundoplication was performed and the child is free of symptoms since.