Significance of subclinical entrapment of nerves in lead neuropathy.
We examined a left-handed 25-year-old man engaged for 2 years at a vinyl chloride resin factory where he had been exposed to lead stearate, a stabilizer of resin. Neurological examination revealed atrophy of small hand muscles, especially in the left dorsal interossei. Sensation of all modalities was intact. A nerve conduction study showed conduction block at the elbow, indicating possible cubital tunnel syndrome. Following CaEDTA therapy, continued recovery of conduction velocities, amplitude of compound muscle action potential, and diminution of conduction block at elbow were observed within a few months. In lead intoxication, nerves may incur mechanical damage. Subclinical entrapment may thus be an important factor leading to vulnerability of nerves in lead neuropathy.
Kajiyama
K
K
Department of Neurology, Osaka Prefectural Hospital Mandai-Higashi, Japan.
Doi
R
R
Sawada
J
J
Hashimoto
K
K
Hazama
T
T
Nakata
S
S
Hirata
M
M
Yoshida
T
T
Miyajima
K
K
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000506:poisoning*; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000294:innervation / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D009420:Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D014752:Vinyl Chloride
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D004492:Edetic Acid; D014752:Vinyl Chloride