Pica with paradichlorobenzene mothball ingestion associated with toxic leukoencephalopathy.
This is a case report of central nervous system toxicity associated with paradichlorobenzene (PDCB) ingestion. The patient had ingested mothballs composed of 99.99% PDCB for a period of 7 months. She was admitted for depression and had no neurologic symptoms. Later she developed an acute cerebellar syndrome followed by stupor and coma. An extensive workup was negative except for decreasing levels of PDCB in her serum. Imaging revealed a diffuse leukoencephalopathy. Her clinical picture was attributed to PDCB toxicity.
Avila
Edward
E
Department of Neurology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA. eka04@yahoo.com
Schraeder
Paul
P
Belliappa
Ajit
A
Faro
Scott
S
D000328:Adult; D002722:Chlorobenzenes / Q000506:poisoning*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007302:Insect Repellents / Q000506:poisoning*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010842:Pica / Q000150:complications*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D002722:Chlorobenzenes; D007302:Insect Repellents