Neurologic manifestations in welders with pallidal MRI T1 hyperintensity.
BACKGROUND
Neurologic symptoms have been attributed to manganese fumes generated during welding. Increased T1 MRI signal in the basal ganglia is a biologic marker of manganese accumulation. Recent studies have associated welding and parkinsonism, but generally without MRI corroboration.


OBJECTIVE
To characterize the clinical and neuropsychological features of patients with MRI basal ganglia T1 hyperintensity, who were ultimately diagnosed with neurotoxicity from welding fumes.


METHODS
The medical records of welders referred to the Department of Neurology with neurologic problems and basal ganglia T1 hyperintensity were reviewed.


RESULTS
All eight patients were male career welders with increased T1 basal ganglia signal on MRI of the brain. Several different clinical syndromes were recognized: a parkinsonian syndrome (three patients), a syndrome of multifocal myoclonus and limited cognitive impairment (two patients), a mixed syndrome with vestibular-auditory dysfunction (two patients), and minor subjective cognitive impairment, anxiety, and sleep apnea (one patient). Neuropsychometric testing suggested subcortical or frontal involvement. Inadequate ventilation or lack of personal respiratory protection during welding was a common theme.


CONCLUSIONS
Welding without proper protection was associated with syndromes of parkinsonism, multifocal myoclonus, mild cognitive impairment, and vestibular-auditory dysfunction. The MRI T1 hyperintensity in the basal ganglia suggests that these may have been caused by manganese neurotoxicity.
Josephs
K A
KA
Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. josephs.keith@mayo.edu
Ahlskog
J E
JE
Klos
K J
KJ
Kumar
N
N
Fealey
R D
RD
Trenerry
M R
MR
Cowl
C T
CT
D000328:Adult; D015913:Chelation Therapy; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005917:Globus Pallidus / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008345:Manganese / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D020149:Manganese Poisoning / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009207:Myoclonus / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D014896:Welding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D008345:Manganese