A patient accidentally exposed to oven microwaves developed an acute a
nd severe dystrophy and sympathetic reflex of the right hand, a periph
eral neuropathy of the digits of the left hand, and a sensory injury o
f the trigeminal nerve in the right side of the face. The physiopathol
ogical involvement in the injury oi the peripheral nerve and the failu
re of analgesia with carbamazepine are emphasized. In this causalgia,
relief from pain and modification of the autonomic disorders can be ac
hieved by a sympathetic block.