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.
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.
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Kamran
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Bakshi
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