This study is a case report of 2,5-hexanedione induced occupational peripheral polyneuropathy. We also investigated the peripheral nerve function of all workers who had been exposed to 2,5-hexanedione in the same process.

In June, 2006, a 2,5-hexanedione exposed worker complained of both hand numbness. He received neurologic, radiologic, laboratorial and electrophysiologic evaluation, including measurements of workplace environment. Five months after cessation of exposure to 2,5-hexanedione, a follow-up electrophysiologic examination was done. We evaluated the peripheral nerve function of 2,5-hexanedione exposed workers by comparing 13 male 2,5-hexanedione exposed workers who were in same company with the patient and 5 male workers who had not been exposed to 2,5-hexanedione.

Under electrophysiologic examination, there were abnormalities in sensory and motor nerve velocity, terminal latency, and F-latency of both median nerve and ulnar nerve. After 5 months, the patient symptoms and the results of follow-up electrophysiologic examinations were improved. Comparing the 2,5-hexanedione exposed group with the unexposed group, the sensory nerve velocity of the median and ulnar nerves in the exposed group was decreased. The motor nerve velocity of the peroneal nerve, and sensory nerve velocity of the median and sural nerves were decreased. Terminal latency of median, ulnar, peroneal, and tibial nerves in the exposed group were increased compared with the unexposed group(<0.05).

2.5-hexandione can induce peripheral polyneuropathy in male workers.