title: Clinical course in patients with chronic carbon disulfide polyneuropathy.
abstract: The natural course of clinical manifestations and electrophysiological changes were studied in six patients with carbon disulfide (CS(2)) induced polyneuropathy. All of the six patients worked in the cutting-machine department of a viscose rayon plant. The environmental monitoring was also conducted in the initial stage and followed up 3 years later. In the 3-year follow-up period, the neurological symptoms and signs persisted. The highest concentration of CS(2) in the cutting machine where these patients worked was about 100-200 ppm. Three years later, the highest concentration was decreased to between 10 and 20 ppm in the cutting machine of the new production line after the engineering control had been improved. Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) studies revealed persistent abnormality in motor and sensory NCVs. Although, a tendency to improvement was noted, it did not reach a statistical significance except for conduction velocity of sural nerve in sensory NCV. Sural nerve biopsy from one patient, 2 years after diagnosis showed degeneration of both axon and myelin and a predominant loss of large myelinated fibers. A remyelination process was also noted. We concluded that CS(2) intoxication may induce a persistent damage to the peripheral nerves even after CS(2) exposure had ceased for 3 years.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and University, 199, Tung Hwa North Road, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. cch0537@adm.cgmh.org.tw
authors.forename: Chin-Chang
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Chun-Che
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Trong-Neng
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Tung-Sheng
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.forename: Nai-Shin
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Chu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001369:Axons / Q000473:pathology; D001706:Biopsy; D002246:Carbon Disulfide / Q000506:poisoning*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000473:pathology; D009431:Neural Conduction; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011115:Polyneuropathies / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D002246:Carbon Disulfide