Patients with suspected solvent-induced encephalopathy examined with cerebral computed tomography
Ellingsen, D.G.; Bekken, M.; Kolsaker, L.; Langård, S.
Journal of Occupational Medicine. Official Publication of the Industrial Medical Association 35(2): 155-160
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0096-1736 PMID: 8433187 Document Number: 418107
The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between organic solvent exposure and brain atrophy among 85 patients referred to a department of occupational medicine and who underwent cerebral computed tomography. On average, the patients had been heavily exposed to a mixture of organic solvents for 22.9 years. Diseases which may be associated with brain atrophy or high alcohol consumption was observed among 31% of the subjects. Among these subjects the prevalence of brain atrophy was 58%. The prevalence of brain atrophy was 20% among the men without such conditions. None of the eight female patients appeared to have atrophy. The quantitative assessment showed no correlation between the duration of exposure and atrophy-related parameters. However, the width of the third ventricle, bifrontal ratio, and bicaudate ratio were correlated with age.