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Park and Hwang: Toluene-induced Encephalopathy: A Case Report
Case Report

Brain & Neurorehabilitation 2015; 8(2): 109-112.

Published online: 30 September 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12786/bn.2015.8.2.109

Toluene-induced Encephalopathy: A Case Report

Dae Kwon Park, M.D., Chang Ho Hwang, M.D., Ph.D.

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Korea.

Correspondence to: Chang Ho Hwang, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 290-3 Jeonha-dong, Dong-gu, Ulsan 44033, Korea. Tel: 052-250-7210, Fax: 052-250-7211, chhwang1220ciba@yahoo.co.kr

Received 11 August 2015       Revised 11 September 2015       Accepted 25 September 2015

Copyright © 2015 Korean Society for Neurorehabilitation

(open-access):

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Toluene is one of well-known neuro-toxicants. It can readily cross the blood-brain-barrier and mainly affect the central nervous system (CNS). An inhalation is the typical route of its human exposure and show a variety of symptoms involving cerebral and cerebellar dysfunction, bronchial asthma, chemical pneumonitis, toxic hepatitis, renal tubular acidosis, intestinal obstruction, and myelo-dysplastic syndrome. In this case, toluene-inhalated showed numerous CNS and systemic symptoms. Authors performed such gait analysis, gross and fine motor evaluations, computerized neurocognitive test that we noticed the impaired results. After comprehensive rehabilitation for four weeks, patient improved as much as she could carry out the independent life, and finally discharged home. Authors report the case of toluene-induced encephalopathy in Republic of Korea for the first time.

Keywords: toluene, encephalopathy, neurotoxin

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1

Both frontal lobes mild cortial atrophy (grey circle) on axial T2-weighted MR image of the brain.

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Fig. 2

Low signal intensities of the red nuclei (white arrow) at the level of the midbrain on axial T2-weighted MR image of the brain.

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Fig. 3

Both frontal lobes atrophy (white arrows) on brain perfusion SPECT.

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