[Occupational scleroderma due to organic solvent exposure]

Progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS; scleroderma) is a multisystem disease characterized by inflammation, fibrosis and degeneration of the integument, with similar changes and vascular lesions in the heart, lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract and synovia. Its etiology is not clear. Several occupational exposures have been implicated as potential causes of PSS and scleroderma-like diseases. Among them are vinyl chloride monomer, silica dust, epoxy resin, and benzene and other solvents, aromatic and aliphatic, specifically chlorinated (trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene and trichloromethane). We present a patient whose illness was diagnosed as occupationally induced PSS. During 13 years of work renovating carburetors he was heavily exposed to trichloromethane. To the best of our knowledge this is the first reported case of PSS due to exposure to organic solvents in Israel; very few cases have been reported from abroad.