title: Carbofuran-induced delayed neuropathy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although carbamates have been widely used in the world for many years, carbamate-induced delayed neuropathy is rare. We report what appears to be delayed neuropathy caused by poisoning with carbofuran, a cholinesterase-inhibiting carbamate, although the certainty of diagnosis is somewhat limited by the lack of a sural nerve biopsy and spinal fluid examination.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 23-year-old man attempted suicide by ingesting 100 mL of carbofuran (2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranyl methylcarbamate). After recovering from acute cholinergic toxicity, he had notable paresthesia in his lower limbs and difficulty walking. Electrophysiologic findings revealed sensorimotor neuropathy. Recovery began at 1 week and continued for 4 months. A similar delayed neuropathy has been described with carbamate, 1-naphthyl N-methylcarbamate, and m-tolyl methylcarbamate, but not with carbofuran insecticides.
authors.affiliation: Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: P Y
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Tsao
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Lyu
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Chiang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002235:Carbofuran / Q000506:poisoning*; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000506:poisoning*; D008297:Male; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000139:chemically induced; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D007306:Insecticides; D002235:Carbofuran