Algodystrophie gardénalique : présentation de huit nouveaux cas africains et revue de la littérature

We report eight new cases concerning African patients with complication induced by phenobarbital treatment for epilepsy, collected at a physical medicine department in Dakar, Senegal. The comparison with previous works, which also concerned small series, brings to light: the feminine ascendancy, the development after an important duration of exposure (8 years on average). The forerunners are especially pain and joint limitations. Upper limbs are mostly affected, sometimes in a bilateral way that is suggestive of a medicinal cause. Biological tests are useless. Radiographies can help the diagnosis. The treatment is at first the replacement of gardenal and physical therapy. The results are favourable, in most of the cases.