Failure to confirm neurotoxic impairment using cerebral magnetic resonance imaging on solvent-exposed workers.
OBJECTIVE
The study aimed at assessing signs of nervous system impairment by cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) among workers with a history of long-term exposure to mixtures of organic solvents.


METHODS
Thirty-six workers (mean age 44.1 years) with at least 10 (mean 23.9) years of occupational exposure to solvents and pair-matched referents with no former solvent exposure went through a blind, random-order investigation of cerebral MRI, performed with a 1.5-tesla scanner.


RESULTS
Linear measurements of the MRI tomograms showed a slight tendency toward wider ventricles and broader cortical sulci in the reference group. Visual evaluation of the MRI by 2 experienced neuroradiologists showed no significant difference between the groups; however, there was substantial interobserver variability.


CONCLUSIONS
The MRI findings of this study do not support the hypothesis that long-term low-level occupational exposure to organic solvents results in the development of brain atrophy, or specific MRI signal changes in the region of the basal ganglia and thalami.
Aaserud
O
O
Department of Neurology, Rikshospitalet, University of Oslo, Norway. olaf.aaserud@rikshospitalet.no
Nakstad
P H
PH
Bakke
S J
SJ
Reinvang
I
I
Borchgrevink
H M
HM
Lie
V
V
Malt
U F
UF
Gjerstad
L
L
D000328:Adult; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012997:Solvents / Q000009:adverse effects*
D012997:Solvents