[A clinical analysis of 50 cases of medicament-like dermatitis due to trichloroethylene].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the clinical manifestations, complications and treatment of medicament-like dermatitis due to trichloroethylene (TCE), so as to provide basis for studying its etiology and mechanism.


METHODS
Fifty patients with dermatitis due to TCE from 1997 to 2000 were analysed retrospectively.


RESULTS
The occurrence of the dermatitis was not parallel to TCE exposure levels, without significant dose-effect relationship. This disease could be caused by both inhalation and skin exposure. The latency period of TCE dermatitis ranged from 5 to 66 days, and the average was 31.5 d (Medium). The major clinical manifestations included skin lesions, fever, superficial lymph node swelling and liver dysfunction. Infection was the major complication. Glucocorticoid was effective for treatment of this disease.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical manifestations due to TCE exposure were similar to dermatitis medicamentosa. The major clinical types of TCE dermatitis included exfoliative dermatitis and erythema multiforme. The dermatitis is considered to be mediated by delayed-type (IV) hypersensitivity. The key factors to treat this disease successfully included the use of glucocorticoid in time with sufficient dose and full course, professional skin care, active treatment to protect the liver and to avoid infection.
Xia
Li-hua
LH
Guangdong Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Guangzhou 510300, China.
Huang
Han-lin
HL
Kuang
Shou-ren
SR
Liu
Hui-fang
HF
Kong
Ling-zhen
LZ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D003873:Dermatitis, Exfoliative / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014241:Trichloroethylene / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000485:Allergens; D014241:Trichloroethylene