Brain Neurorehabil.  2015 Sep;8(2):109-112. 10.12786/bn.2015.8.2.109.

Toluene-induced Encephalopathy: A Case Report

• Park DK
• Hwang CH

• KMID: 2165199
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12786/bn.2015.8.2.109

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.

Keyword

toluene; encephalopathy; neurotoxin

MeSH Terms

Acidosis, Renal Tubular
Asthma
Central Nervous System
Cerebellar Diseases
Drug-Induced Liver Injury
Gait
Humans
Inhalation
Intestinal Obstruction
Pneumonia
Rehabilitation
Republic of Korea
Toluene
Toluene

Figure

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  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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