Chronic neuropathic symptoms after exposure to mustard gas: a long-term investigation.
BACKGROUND
Long-term investigations of persons exposed to mustard gas are few and have primarily focused on its carcinogenic properties. To our knowledge neuropathic pain has never been described.


OBJECTIVE
We investigated late symptoms in the skin after exposure to sulfur mustard.


METHODS
Five patients exposed to mustard gas during battlefield operations in the Middle East and five fishermen accidentally exposed to sulfur mustard by pulling shells leaking the chemical agent aboard their fishing vessels participated in this study. Clinical examination of the patients from the Middle East and telephone interviews with the fishermen were performed.


RESULTS
All patients suffered from neuropathic pain or other deafferentation symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Persistent damage to the afferent nerve system resulting in chronic neuropathic symptoms is probably a frequent complication in persons exposed to mustard gas.
H:S Multidisciplinary Pain Center, National Hospital, Department 7122, Copenhagen, Denmark.
A B
AB
Thomsen
J
J
Eriksen
K
K
Smidt-Nielsen
D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D000328:Adult; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003718:Denmark; D005398:Fisheries; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D007493:Iraq; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009151:Mustard Gas / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D013997:Time Factors
D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D009151:Mustard Gas