Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome and osteogenesis imperfecta. A report and review of the literature.

A case of multifocal reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSDS) in a patient with the tarda form of osteogenesis imperfecta is described, followed by a review of the literature. Microfractures of the trabecular bone in these patients are proposed to be the initial stimulus in the pathogenesis of RSDS by a mechanism similar to the one involved in the pathogenesis of RSDS complicating other diseases associated with bone fragility.