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Gasoline sniffing multifocal neuropathy.
T M Burns1, B F Shneker, V C Juel
1Department of Neurology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
Pediatric Neurology
|December 18, 2001
Summary
Gasoline sniffing can cause peripheral neuropathy. A case study shows this can present as acute multiple mononeuropathies, not just progressive sensorimotor polyneuropathy.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Chronic gasoline inhalation is typically associated with gradually progressive, symmetric, sensorimotor polyneuropathy.
- Previous literature describes a specific pattern of peripheral nerve damage from gasoline exposure.
Observation:
- A 14-year-old female presented with peripheral neuropathy after sniffing unleaded gasoline.
- Her presentation differed from typical cases, featuring multiple mononeuropathies superimposed on a sensorimotor polyneuropathy background.
Findings:
- Gasoline sniffing neuropathy can manifest as acute multiple mononeuropathies, mimicking mononeuritis multiplex.
- This presentation may be linked to heightened peripheral nerve susceptibility to pressure due to gasoline's neurotoxic compounds.
- Tetraethyl lead, historically implicated, is not essential for developing gasoline sniffer's neuropathy.
Implications:
- Highlights the varied clinical presentations of gasoline-induced neuropathy.
- Suggests neurotoxic components in modern gasoline can cause acute nerve damage.
- Informs differential diagnosis for acute neuropathies in individuals with potential solvent exposure.