MR imaging of "spray heads": toluene abuse via aerosol paint inhalation.
OBJECTIVE
Three male patients with a history of spray-paint inhalation are presented.


METHODS
Spin-echo MR was used to evaluate the central nervous system changes secondary to toluene inhalation delivered via spray-paint fumes.


RESULTS
The remarkable findings included the loss of cerebral and cerebellar gray-white matter discrimination, scattered multifocal deep white matter lesions, and gross generalized atrophy of the cerebrum, the cerebellum, and the corpus callosum.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the observed changes are nonspecific, combined with a positive history the diagnosis of inhalation toluene abuse can be made on the basis of consistent MR findings.
Xiong
L
L
Neuroradiology Section, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio 78284-7800.
Matthes
J D
JD
Li
J
J
Jinkins
J R
JR
D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010150:Paint; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000473:pathology*; D014050:Toluene
D000336:Aerosols; D014050:Toluene