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Rabbit syndrome following phenol ingestion
1Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Kitasato University, School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan. yk119@kitasato-u.ac.jp
Journal of Toxicology. Clinical Toxicology
|August 28, 1999
Summary
Phenol intoxication in an elderly woman caused a rare neurological disorder known as rabbit syndrome, characterized by involuntary facial movements. Symptoms resolved with supportive care, highlighting a potential link between phenol toxicity and central nervous system imbalances.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
- Clinical Neurology
Background:
- Phenol, a common industrial chemical, can cause severe toxicity upon ingestion.
- Neurological complications following phenol poisoning are rare but can be profound.
Observation:
- An elderly Japanese woman presented with respiratory arrest and coma after a massive phenol ingestion.
- Upon recovery of consciousness, she developed fine, rapid rhythmic perioral movements and Parkinsonian symptoms.
- These abnormal movements worsened with neuroleptic medication and improved upon discontinuation.
Findings:
- The patient's symptoms, consistent with "rabbit syndrome," resolved by hospital day 15.
- Phenol intoxication may induce this syndrome by creating cholinergic dominance and relative dopamine hypofunction in the central nervous system.
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare neurological sequela of phenol poisoning.
- Understanding the neurochemical mechanisms, such as cholinergic-dopaminergic imbalance, is crucial for managing phenol toxicity.
- Further research into neuroleptic-induced movement disorders in toxicological contexts is warranted.