MRI in chronic toluene abuse: low signal in the cerebral cortex on T2-weighted images.
MRI may be helpful in showing brain toxicity associated with chronic toluene inhalation. We report clinical and MRI findings over 3 years in a man with gradual neurologic decline secondary to toluene abuse. Cerebral atrophy most prominently involved the corpus callosum and cerebellar vermis. On T2-weighted images, loss of gray-white matter contrast, diffuse supratentorial white matter high-signal lesions, and low signal in the basal ganglia and midbrain were seen. In addition, MRI showed abnormal labor cortical low signal on T2-weighted images, most prominent in the primary motor and visual cortex. This cortical T2 shortening, not previously described in this condition, may reflect iron deposition.
Kamran
S
S
Dent Neurologic Institute, Department of Neurology, Millard Fillmore Health System, State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, 14209, USA.
Bakshi
R
R
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D001284:Atrophy; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D012997:Solvents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014050:Toluene / Q000009:adverse effects*
D012997:Solvents; D014050:Toluene; D007501:Iron