[Reflex sympathetic dystrophy due to phenobarbital: a frequent and treatable condition]

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) complicating barbiturates therapy is not well acknowledged in the neurologic literature in spite of the fact that barbiturates are present in 17% of the cases of RSD. Two new cases detected during one year in a general neurology clinic are described. One of them did not suffer from any previous neurologic disease. A review of the literature showed that the association of RSD and barbiturates affects predominantly upper limbs and is often accompanied by other fibrosing musculoskeletal disorders. Apart from barbiturate withdrawal, corticosteroid therapy may be necessary to prevent irreversible tissue damage.