Myoclonic encephalopathy after exposure to trichloroethylene.
Trichloroethylene is a widely-used industrial solvent that is absorbed through the digestive or respiratory tracts or cutaneously. It has a selective tropism for the cardiovascular and central nervous systems and may cause death due to cardiac arrest or neurological sequelae. We present the case of a 25-yr-old women who was exposed to trichloroethylene in the workplace for 18 months and who developed a disabling myoclonic encephalopathy. Non-toxicological causes were excluded. Although the exposure ceased, the disease progressed with thalamic and cerebellar involvement. The patient, who had only a partial response to symptomatic treatment, suffered severe limitations in the activities of daily living and was registered as permanently disabled due to a work-related disability.
Sanz
Pere
P
Toxicology Unit, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Spain.
Nogué
Santiago
S
Vilchez
Daniel
D
Salvadó
Elisa
E
Casal
Amparo
A
Logroscino
Giancarlo
G
D000328:Adult; D004831:Epilepsies, Myoclonic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012997:Solvents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014241:Trichloroethylene / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017132:Workplace
D012997:Solvents; D014241:Trichloroethylene