Notalgia Paresthetica

To the Editor.— Although unable to comment on hexing or root work as special forms of witchcraft, we would like to discuss the dysesthesia that occurred in the patient of Hillard and Rockwell (240:1742, 1978). Their patient experienced the gradual onset of numbness in the area of the inferior border of the left scapula, with intense burning sensation in this area in response to the lightest touch. On examination a 3×8-cm area of dysesthesia was present over the lower border of the left scapula. The authors do not state that this disappeared completely after the patient's extensive psychotherapy. Although conversion reaction or a hex may have been present in this patient, this particular dysesthesia was organic and is a well-known neurological entity. We have seen more than ten cases of this during the last two years and have recently reported six cases.1A sensory neuropathy involving the posterior rami