title: Axonal polyneuropathy after acute dimethylamine borane intoxication.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study a patient with axonal polyneuropathy due to acute dimethylamine borane (DMAB) intoxication.
  
  
  METHODS
  Confusion and drowsiness in the acute stage, followed by cognitive impairments and polyneuropathy, are reported in a chemical factory worker after acute exposure to DMAB.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nerve conduction studies indicated axonal polyneuropathy, particularly in the motor nerves. Sural nerve biopsy studies 3 months later revealed an axonal degeneration with a mild decrease of fiber density in the large myelinated fibers. Quantitative sensory testing also disclosed an impairment of pinprick, temperature, and touch sensations. Cutaneous nerve biopsy studies 9 months later demonstrated a moderate loss of epidermal nerves. During the follow-up period of 1.5 years, the clinical features and serial nerve conduction studies showed a steady improvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Since DMAB is a new product and has been widely used recently in the manufacturing of semiconductors and electronics, we conclude that DMAB intoxication may produce motor-predominant axonal polyneuropathy and that the establishment of a threshold limit value is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hung-Chou
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: Chin-Chang
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Chun-Che
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Nai-Shin
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Chu
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001369:Axons / Q000473:pathology; D001880:Boranes / Q000506:poisoning*; D002617:Chemical Industry; D004123:Dimethylamines / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009431:Neural Conduction; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D011115:Polyneuropathies / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D013497:Sural Nerve / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D001880:Boranes; D004123:Dimethylamines