Carbofuran-induced delayed neuropathy.
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.
Yang
P Y
PY
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Tsao
T C
TC
Lin
J L
JL
Lyu
R K
RK
Chiang
P C
PC
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
D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D007306:Insecticides; D002235:Carbofuran