Korean J Occup Environ Med.  2006 Dec;18(4):345-351.

A case of Peripheral Neuropathy After High Electrical Injury

• Son JS
• Chae CH
• Kim YW
• Min KB
• Yi CH

Abstract

BACKGROUND
With increasing industrial development, opportunities are growing to contact electricity in the workplace or home. Therefore, the risk of electrical accident has been increased gradually. In general, electrical injuries involve the extremities and result in amputation or severe disability of limbs. Delayed spinal cord injury and peripheral neuropathies following electrical accidents are extremely rare.
CASE REPORT
A 32-year-old man with 10 years working experience at a CRT-monitor manufacturer with repetitive exposures to high voltage current visited our hosipital. He complained of left leg weakness and atrophy, and intermittent pain. The symptoms were progressive. Other symptoms occurred such as nocturia, hesitancy, and weak urinary stream. We examined the patient and conducted EMG, L-spine MRI, neurometer test, isokinetic strength test, and physical examination. The results showed neural injuries due to anterior horn lesions or compression of the left femoral nerve pathway, with a consequent diagnosis of neurogenic bladder.

Keyword

Electrical injury; Muscle atrophy; Peripheral polyneuropathy

MeSH Terms

Adult
Amputation
Animals
Atrophy
Diagnosis
Electricity
Extremities
Femoral Nerve
Horns
Humans
Leg
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Muscular Atrophy
Nocturia
Peripheral Nervous System Diseases*
Physical Examination
Rivers
Spinal Cord Injuries
Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic